A Hippy's Guide to Embracing Technology

I have a new addiction to podcasts.  I totally jumped on the Serial bandwagon, which took me down the rabbit hole into the world of podcasts.  Turns out talk radio is the perfect medium for someone like me to connect with my introspective side and indulge in lots of thought-provoking material.  One of the things that has been on my mind a lot after listening to some TEDtalks and This American Life, is the concept of humanity and how it's impacted by social media and technology. I have a love / hate relationship with technology.  It's a powerful force that scares and intimidates me and makes my mind feel like it's going to explode.  I have a similar reaction to outer space. My inner hippy sometimes wants to flee to some commune off the grid to spend life living in the moment.  The other part of me wants to take a picture of myself doing that and upload it to Instagram (#offthegrid #hippylife #inthemoment #connected #naturelover).  Having started a business, I am now more dependent on social media than I ever have been and it does raise a lot of internal conflict. I'm digging my heels in the dirt at the same time as I'm diving headfirst into Flat World (the cyber world that exists within a flat screen).

I am trying my best to find a happy medium. To embrace the amazing aspects of technology that allows me to connect with a wide group of people from anywhere in the world, while also staying grounded and connected to my beliefs. One of my biggest focuses is on the concept of presence; the idea of living in the moment. Nowadays most people struggle with this, myself included, as we're constantly tempted by the draw of the attention and distraction of social media that is often kept in our pockets. It's something that keeps coming up for me and I think it's something that's important for us all to think about as we continue to live in a society that is more and more dependent on social media. In response to my own need to find a place within this technological world, I've come up with a personal guide to keep me grounded and thought I'd share it with you, Flat World.

A Hippy's Guide to Embracing Technology

1. Remember that "off the grid" is always one power switch away:

Before having an iPhone I would often forget my phone or just let it die and exist for awhile free of it.  Now, I rarely separate with it.  Lately I've been trying to spend more time with it on silent, so I'm not constantly tempted by notifications, especially when I'm with other people and want to be more present.  If I'm off in the woods and want to use my camera, I've been putting my phone on airplane mode so that I can still use the camera without being lured into Flat World.  And then there's the power switch.  This is always an option for a full "off the grid" experience.

2. Allow yourself empty time and space:

I've noticed that when I get in the mode where I've adapted to constant entertainment and distraction easily provided by Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and so on, that I'm no longer left with empty space. I forgot how important that empty space is to me. Empty space is what inspires me to go within and journal, meditate, do yoga, hula hoop, or fill it with some other activity that allows me to take full advantage of that moment. It's good for me to remember that I can be content in quiet, peaceful, still moments and that beautiful things can happen when I explore within that space.

3. Don't forget that Flat World is full of actual humans:

One of the things that has disturbed me the most about social media is this disconnection it allows us to have from humanity. Lots of times people feel freer to say hurtful things because they're comfortable spouting out their opinions in the comfort of their homes behind a screen. I believe that many people wouldn't act that same way if they had to face the repercussions of seeing the hurt they caused someone with their words. We allow ourselves to become detached and we should always remember that on the other side of the screen sits real people with real feelings. There's a great episode of This American Life about this, listen here. Instead of using social media as a vehicle for hurtful words and strong opinions, we should use it's power to spread love and positivity. We now have access to people, celebrities, idols, gurus, colleagues, and people with similar interests in ways we never have before.  Use social media to make positive connections, draw inspiration, express gratitude, share creatively, and show love and support. Remember when it wasn't polite to talk about politics or religious beliefs at the dinner table? Flat World is the new dinner table, so stay classy.

4. Put pen to paper:

I love mail.  The good kind, not the bill kind.  I love cards.  I love writing.  Blogging has allowed me to write publicly and to get my thoughts out efficiently and quickly, which has been extremely beneficial and therapeutic, but it doesn't compare to the act of writing using the old school method: pen and paper. Journaling is something I still practice when I'm struggling with something. The slower process of it allows me to get fully present with my feelings and it provides a lot of clarity. Writing doesn't just help me connect to myself, but to others as well.

When I first moved away to California, I started writing letters to my roommates from college and loved it. We would doodle our own stationary and share about recent happenings. It really helped ebb my loneliness in the first few months. Recently, I've started to take the time to send out more cards to people. I can't tell you how much enjoyment I get out of hand picking cards that perfectly represent someone or some inside joke between a friend and I. I also can't tell you how much enjoyment I get out of seeing a card or a letter show up in the mail. More and more I'm wishing to take the time and effort to express myself in this way because it feels special to me and makes me feel connected in a way the internet cannot provide.

5. Information saturation:

Holy guacamole, we sure are exposed to a ton of information! It can be extremely overwhelming and, depending on the nature of it, disheartening. In so many ways I feel blessed to have answers, solutions, interesting news, and creative inspiration constantly at my finger tips, but I've had to learn to filter out the stuff that weighs me down. I'm a sensitive individual with a bleeding heart that is quick to feel the pain and joys of others. I have to be careful with what I spend my time on on the internet, so that I don't get lost in sadness or negativity. I do my best to embrace the stuff that lifts me up or inspires me and then not give energy to the stuff that leaves me feeling down.

Vegetarian Banh Mi

I love Vietnamese food! I love the use of fresh ingredients that provides lots of texture, flavor, and nutrition.  Lately I've been craving Banh Mi, which is a Vietnamese sandwich characterized by delicious pickled veggies and topped with fresh cilantro and  jalapeño slices.  It's spicy and crunchy and soooo good.  Here's my take on it:

Vegetarian Banh Mi Sandwich

Makes one sandwich

Ingredients:

1/4 cup rice vinegar

2 tsp. honey

1/2-1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/4 cup shredded or thinly sliced daikon radish (a mild winter radish often used in Asian cuisine)

1/4 cup shredded or thinly sliced carrot

1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

6-inches of a French baguette, sliced in half lengthwise and lightly toasted in the oven

Spicy Mayo (mayo or Veganeise mixed with sriracha until desired spice is met)

Protein of choice (I fried up some marinated tofu, but want to try grilled tempeh next time)

Sprouts, optional

Fresh cilantro, to taste

Fresh jalapeño, sliced thin, to taste

Directions:

1. Combine vinegar, honey, and red pepper flakes.  Add daikon radish, carrots, and red onion and marinate for 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain, squeezing out excess liquid, and set aside.

2. Apply spicy mayo to both sides of the baguette.

3. Assemble sandwich by adding the pickled daikon, carrots, and red onion, the protein, sprouts, fresh cilantro, and jalapeño. Enjoy!

Tips for working with tofu:

Tofu can absorb marinades and flavors much better when the water it's been soaking in is pressed out of it. What you do is take a clean cloth and wrap your tofu in it.  Put it on a plate and cover with a cast iron skillet or something else heavy and leave for at least 30 minutes.  Now your tofu is ready to soak up any flavor you wish.

5 Ways to Enjoy Valentine's Day No Matter What Your Relationship Status Is

Many people have a love / hate relationship with Valentine's Day, which I totally get.  I've spent Valentine's Day sipping champagne and eating chocolate covered strawberries with a loved one and I've also spent it dressed in all black at Red Lobster with friends swearing off men. I've groaned at the first signs of Valentine's Day paraphernalia, but I've also spent a significant amount of time searching for the perfect gift.  This holiday is unique because how we celebrate it and how we feel about it is often reflective of our current relationship status and how secure we feel within that status. In recent years, I've begun to see it a little differently.  Valentine's Day, to me, is simply a celebration of love and who's to say what kind of love that is. Love is the purest, most sacred, and most beautiful form of expression and why not take this as an opportunity to celebrate that? This is a great time to reflect on those in your life who mean the most to you and it's also a time to think about the most important relationship in your life, which is the one you have with yourself.

I will always jump at the chance to talk about self-love, because I firmly believe it is what dictates our reality. How we feel about ourselves is reflected back to us in our day-to-day interactions, our lifestyle choices, our relationships, and our acceptance of the world around us, so it's always good to improve on our relationship with ourselves. This Valentine's Day let love into your life by choosing thoughts, actions, relationships, situations, and environments that mirror a high-level of respect, love, and positivity because you are worth that.

5 Ways to Enjoy Valentine's Day No Matter What Your Relationship Status Is:

1. Do something special for you:

Fill yourself up with love so that it oozes out of you into the people and world around you.  Once you're full, you have so much more to give.  Take the time out of your day to do something just for you.  Take a bath, read a book, go for a walk, grab a drink with a friend, cook yourself a nice meal, get a massage, go to a movie, whatever it is make sure it's something you enjoy.

2. Express your love:

As far as I'm concerned, life is too damn short to not say the good things we think about people. Sometimes it feels vulnerable and uncomfortable to express how much we care about people, but it's time to get over it. Compliment someone, tell that someone special just what makes them special, thank your parents, thank your kids, tell someone they're beautiful, spread positivity in anyway you can. This is a powerful and quick way to feel amazing.

3. Celebrate Valentine's Day with more than your partner:

Say "I love you" to anyone special in your life. My parents have always given us Valentines and it always has meant a lot.  It always feels good to share love with friends, family, and significant others.

4. Indulge:

My love for food makes any holiday an excuse to treat myself or try something new.  Whether it's takeout, your favorite chocolate, that expense Kombucha Beer you always want to buy (this obviously is on my list), or creating something beautiful for yourself to eat, take some time to indulge in something you love.

5. Reflect:

Like I said earlier, this is a great time to go within and take account of the love in your life. Not in the way that leaves you curled up with a bottle of wine and a box of kleenex, but in a way that empowers and inspires you to continue to deepen your sense of self-worth and bring positivity into places that may need some. It's also a great time to reflect on the journey that has taken you this far and to be grateful for all the lessons and greatness in your life.

Vegan Spicy Sweet Potato Nacho Sauce

I'm really excited about this recipe.  It's the perfect blend of sweet and spicy and offers an alternative to nacho cheese.  You can use it as a dip, on tacos, on nachos, or anyway that suits you.  I hope you enjoy!

Vegan Spicy Sweet Potato Nacho Sauce

Inspired by blissfulbasil.com

Yields: about 4 cups

Ingredients:

1 medium / large sweet potato, peeled and cubed

2 tsp coconut oil

1 jalapeño, minced (you can play with amounts here depending on your spice preference. I used the whole jalapeño with seeds and I found it mild with a nice spicy finish)

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp honey

A pinch of sea salt

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 cup water

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp sea salt

Cayenne, to taste

Sliced green onions, for garnish

Directions:

1. Cook the sweet potatoes in boiling water (takes about 10-15 minutes)

2. Melt the coconut oil in a small sauce pan over medium heat.  Add jalapeños, honey, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of sea salt.  Cook for about 4-5 minutes until softened.

3. Strain the sweet potatoes and add to a blender with the minced garlic, water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, sea salt, and about half of the cooked jalapeños. Blend until smooth.  Adjust for taste, adding cayenne for a bit more spice if desired.

4. Stir in the remaining jalapeños.

5.  Serve garnished with green onions.

I used it as a sauce on my black bean tacos. It was so yummy!