S.C.: Week 1 BEGINS!

Rejuvenation encompassed me today.  Despite beginning the day more tired than I would have liked and with an earlier start than usual, the hub and I did have more time than is normal in the morning.  Then, I got to enjoy some quality time with one of my favorite almost three year olds, G.  How can your morning not be brightened by wiki-stick fishing, puzzles, and bowling?  The day continued with some additional "work" in the afternoon, though I feel a bit guilty designating play with other people's puppies in the same category as other employment.  On the way to "work," this month's Yoga Journal was miraculously on the shelf (a sign!) at the library, when I went to return my books on time (another miracle!).   And all day...the sun was shining! I returned home to my own pups longing for a snuggle and a nap; they were (of course) ready to play.  Thankfully, they tired themselves out with some snow/slush/mud time in the backyard and thus allowed time for an hour of yoga and meditation, while they had a post-romp nap.  I did the "30-Minute Tension Release Side Bends with Jason Crandell" (thank you, D.H. Lawrence compilation, for serving as my block) and the "Yoga Breathing" awareness exercise as posted on the same page. ( I know, I know -- I'm not doing the exercises in order, but this time, my goal is to establish daily practice; I'll just be using the challenge practices as the need arises.)  Prior to prepping veggies for roasting and chatting with my mom, I even got to read a bit of the latest YJ and catch up with my friend, Helen.  What an energizing day on many levels -- perfect for the cleanse kick-off!

And now...the food.

Today, you only get pictures, and tomorrow I will load you up with the first three entree recipes from this week.  Forgive me, dear readers and fellow cleansers -- I'll try to be more timely with the recipes from here on out, but most recipe posting will occur (by necessity) after I make the dish.

Tempeh Thai Basil Wraps
(Inspired by our recent trip to Thai Elephant in NYC)

Roasted Veggies (inspired by the  "Scarlet Roasted Vegetables"
in Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet)

Spaghetti Squash Cake with Tomato and Roasted Veggie Sauce

 Bonus: My first dehydrator effort -- a success!

Raw Bars (Almond, Apple, Date and Hemp) from Jae Steele's Ripe from Around Here

Final thoughts:

Even though I did have peanut butter on my rice cake this morning (the horror, the horror), today feels good.  As yoga teacher Camille Kingsolver (yep, Barbara Kingsolver's daughter!) states in her March 2011 YJ article on local food consumption, "Choosing food is like practicing yoga.  Awareness is the key. ... As long as I'm aware of the choices I'm making, or the distractions I'm succumbing to, I know that I haven't lost my path." How relevant to the process we've begun today and what a thoughtful sentiment to carry with us.