break in character
break in time
clicking, clocking
wasted mind

bluest movies
trips unknown
other lifetimes
supine mine

empty spaces
shattered thoughts
silent measures
twisted clocks

krista tippit
dorothy day
swinging sweetly
artistic play

revisions, edits
altar alters

ended
fragments
broken
beaker

I need a break from screens. Send me your favorite book recommendations!

Lately I have been flying through books. As you may know, I read in spurts. When those spurts hit, I feel ravenous to dive into one book after another. I just re-read Clean Gut (since I am on day 8) and finished Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. Both were very informative and reflective, but I want a story. A story that I feel lost in.

Willingness to Learn

By Lauren

March 7, 2014

Inspired & Inspiring

1 Comment

Sometimes when I’m so inclined I turn to greatday.com for its daily message. I read this one yesterday and particularly liked it, so much so that it was still on my mind when I woke up this morning. Hope you like it too.

Willingness to Learn

Look back at everything you did yesterday and ask yourself this simple but powerful question. What worked, and what didn’t?

The way to improve and to become more effective is to learn. The way to learn is to take the time to look at what actually happened.

You don’t need some celebrated guru to reveal to you how to improve your work. You just need the willingness to learn from what you’ve done.

Instead of getting angry or frustrated about your failures, choose to learn from them. Instead of getting boastful or complacent about your successes, make the choice to learn from them.

Learn what helps you, what holds you back, what makes you more effective and what slows you down. Learn from your encounters, your experiences, your joys, your setbacks and from the surprising twists that life often takes.

In everything is the valuable opportunity to learn if you’ll simply decide to do so. Learn from it all, and make each day better than the one before.

-Ralph Marston

Day 6

By Farrell

March 6, 2014

Holistic Living

2 Comments

There was one day this week that I felt angry and aggressive. It wasn’t towards anyone or anything in particular. I was just agitated and tired. I had had enough of everything. I snapped at my sister, was short with people and ended up going home early. I wasn’t used to feeling those feelings and it felt uncomfortable. I was fully aware in the moment that I was cleansing and it will pass. I wasn’t over-thinking it. It just was and I felt it.

There has been somewhat of a calm after that day. My thoughts have been running less and less and I find that I want to be alone or somewhere quiet and calm. This whole week has been a welcome surprise because I am not “myself” but it feels nice to feel these things and feel this way.

I know I am not saying much or really going anywhere with this. I think I am just realizing today that it is good to feel things fully so they don’t hide away inside of you and pop back up when you least expect it. It was nice to feel angry and then it was nice to not be anymore.

Coast to Coast

By Lauren

March 5, 2014

Coast to Coast

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First I tripped, then I dropped it

F: How are you feeling post cleanse?

L: I feel like I’m slowly going back to all my old ways, which is a bummer, but I think about how good I felt on the cleanse pretty much everyday. I’m not eating enough vegetables and I know it.

F: Do you have anything special going on this month?

L: I think I have a pretty exciting trip to South America in the works!

F: Have you been to the New Museum lately? What’s showing?

L: I haven’t – well actually, that’s not true. A few weekends ago I went out to get coffee and ended up wandering around for awhile. I stopped into the New Museum’s book store and hung out there for a bit. It was selling a pair of those kaleidoscope glasses. Have you seen them?

brent_future_eyes_autre_launch_dilettante_pas_un_autre_oliver_maxwell_kupper-777x583

Brent Paul Pearson creator of Future Eyes

F: Any new all natural products that you are using that I would be interested in?

L: Man, I don’t think so. I still love my Essential Oxygen Brushing Rinse.

F: Do you ever think about teaching yoga again?

L: I do & I think I would like to. It also kind of scares me.

Chicken Pot Pie

By Farrell

March 4, 2014

Holistic Living

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I am on Day 4 of Clean Gut. I am doing it with almost my entire team and it’s going ok so far. Honestly, this morning I am feeling a little headachy and tired.

However, on Saturday we had a chicken pot pie feast! Here is a great recipe for “clean” pot pie.

Chicken Pot Pie

Serves 6

Ingredients

Filling

3 tablespoons coconut oil
3 to 4 shallots, minced
1 cup sliced carrots
2 celery stalks, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced and divided into two equal
portions
2 to 3 boneless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds), diced
1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
2 cups chicken broth (may need more but start with this
amount)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
½ red onion, minced
1½ cup raw cashews, soaked for 4 to 6 hours, then drained
½ teaspoon cayenne
Optional: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Crust

1½ cups blanched almond flour
½ cup raw sunflower seeds
1 tablespoon dried herbs, such as sage, rosemary, thyme,
or chives (fresh herbs will work too; just use a bit more)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon water

Directions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of the coconut oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat.

2. Add the shallots and sauté them for 5 minutes, or until

they are translucent.

3. Add the carrots, celery, and half the minced garlic, and

continue to sauté until the carrots begin to soften, about 3

to 5 minutes.

4. Add the chicken and cook until most of the pink hue is

gone from the flesh.

5. Add the peas and ½ cup of the chicken broth.

6. Continue simmering until the vegetables are tender and

the chicken is fully cooked.

7. Salt and pepper to taste, and set aside.

8. In a medium skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of

coconut oil over medium-high heat.

9. Add the red onion and sauté 5 to 8 minutes.

10. Add the other half of the garlic and sauté for an additional

3 minutes. Remove from the heat.

11. In a blender, purée the onion mixture, cashews, 1½ cups

of the chicken broth, cayenne, and the optional paprika

until smooth.

For more Clean recipes, check out blog.cleanprogram.com

Picturesque

By Lauren

March 3, 2014

Pictures

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Monday, Monday, here again so soon! It’s still very much winter weather in NYC but it is finally starting to feel like we’ve experienced the bulk of the cold and snow. We’ll see… Here’s a little look back at some of how I spent my weekend.

These two came to town and stayed with me. So nice and so adorable!

I found myself in midtown on Sunday afternoon. Things were looking pretty grey!

Snapping selfies before eating Shake Shack

Subway sounds

Studio street art

My Five Senses

By Farrell

February 28, 2014

Inspired & Inspiring

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(Image found here)

*
SMELL

Level Naturals is a downtown LA based all natural product company that I have fallen deeply in love with. Their Mission Fig & Lychee candle is one of the best I’ve smelled in a while.

*

TASTE

I made and taste tested all of the smoothies in this GOOP magazine and ever since I have been craving them. The chai gingerbread shake is the freakin’ best!

Also, homemade sweet potato fries are amazing.

*

TOUCH

CV Skinlab’s has become one of my favorite effective and chemical free companies. Their calming moisture feels insanely soft when I put in on. It is the best part of my early morning routine.

*

HEAR

I have happened to listen to this Fresh Air interview with David ‘Russell many times. As you may know, he directed American Hustle. I always find it fascinating to learn about a filmmaker’s point of view.

*

SIGHT

Sunday accidentally/happily became documentary day and I pounded out: The Square, an inspiring and chilling documentary about a group of Egyptian revolutionaries. It’s the real deal. I also watched Mitt, which is a documentary about Mitt Romney and I highly recommend it.

By any other name

By Lauren

February 27, 2014

Inspired & Inspiring

2 Comments

(via saipua)

Some while ago I started this thing wherein when I see someone on the street, or on the train, with a bouquet of flowers, I accept them (in my mind) as meant for me. Once when leaving an event I snagged an extravagant spray made up of gorgeous blossoming peonies, among other buds, and on my way home handed out individual flowers to strangers I caught admiring their beauty. One particularly enthusiastic man, heading out to dinner with friends, proudly adorned his lapel. I linger in the flower section in Whole Foods’ entrance debating how much, if anything, I’m willing to spend on various assortment combinations before I’ve even gotten to my overpriced grocery list. When I splurge and make a purchase, I feel particularly delighted to be the woman on the street with fresh flowers peaking out from my shopping bag. I go months without having any in my home and then
spontaneously pick up a bunch vowing I will always treat myself so well.

Coast to Coast

By Farrell

February 26, 2014

Coast to Coast

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L: What are the top couple of values that are most important to you?

F: Well, well, well. Aren’t we just getting down to business.

Numero uno: Family/Relationships – That’s kind of all that really matters to me.

Numero dos: Humor/Hilariousness – Nothing is better than being around someone who is easily amused and who is amusing. I just love it.

Numero tres: Being openminded – I know I am only 28 years old, but life is crazy and you never know what’s gonna happen next.

L: What is your favorite dance move?

F: The Worm, obviously.

L: Did you watch any of the Olympics?

F: Hell yeah, girl! I watched the louge, skiing and ice skating. It feels important to mention that what I caught, I always happened upon accidentally. AND, I watched The Price of Gold which is a documentary about the Tanya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan controversy. I recommend it.

L: What website would you say you go to the most these days?

F: I know the in’s and out’s of CleanProgram.com more than I ever thought I would know a website. I know the front end and the back end. It’s just bananas what goes into buying and selling products through a website. Otherwise, I am trying to kick my Facebook habit.

L: Tell me a memory.

Remember when I first moved to NYC? I was 22 and you were 27. I lived with you for a couple of months while I waitressed and you worked. That was one of my favorite times in my life. Thank you for convincing me to move there.