“Like water which can clearly mirror the sky and the trees only so long as its surface is undisturbed, the mind can only reflect the true image of the Self when it is tranquil and wholly relaxed.”
Seen on my sunrise run this morning at Lake Chabot.
Leave the Bullsh*t Behind.
Seen mid-way through our run along Macedo Ranch trail.
Our run came to a screeching halt when we came across a bull on the trails today. We tiptoed around him. We spoke in hushed whispers. We avoided eye-contact, trying our best to remain unseen and non-threatening, lest he erupt in a full-charged attack towards us. Once we got past him, we relaxed, found our stride again, and breathed a huge sigh of relief.
We all have had experiences with a 'bull' in our lives. Around them, you must tread lightly. It's like walking on eggshells- tentatively, meekly, submissively- trying not to rock the boat. It's a fearful and exhausting way to live.
It takes courage to leave. But it is necessary. And so freeing. At first, you keep looking over your shoulder, afraid of retaliation. But after time, you realize the bull and all of its shit is left behind in the horizon.
Run free.
Eventually, you find your stride again. You find your voice. You can laugh loudly with the wind at your back and finally feel free to be yourself. And you realize that you have miles of trails and open sky in front of you waiting to be explored.
Lemon Ginger Coconut Granola
I have been thinking a lot about the power of intention. How our thoughts can change and transform our reality. Especially in cooking and baking, holding a specific intention can be the secret ingredient that makes the whole recipe stand on its own in a unique way.
Today, in the late afternoon, I had the sudden urge to make something delicious and healthy and substantial enough to stave off the mid-afternoon munchies, or be hearty enough for breakfast. This recipe just so happens to be nut-free, gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free, for those individuals in our lives that have certain food restrictions/allergies yet deserve to have flavorful options available. The whole tender process of imagining, mixing, creating, and setting an intention of service and love is hopefully what makes this granola, as well as your own, unique and delicious...
DRY INGREDIENTS:
- 2 1/2 c. rolled oats
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 2 Tbsp golden flaxseeds
- 1/8 c. organic red quinoa
- 1/8 c. shelled hemp seed
- 1/8 c. organic amaranth
- 1/2 c. raw pumpkin seeds
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 c. shredded coconut
- 1 tsp salt
WET INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 c. melted organic coconut oil
- 1/2 c. organic maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp freshly ground ginger
- juice from 1/2 lemon
- fresh lemon rind from 1/2 lemon
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 13 x 18 inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix all the dry ingredients together.
- In a separate bowl, combine all the wet ingredients together.
- Stir the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients and combine well.
- Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 45 minutes, stir every 10-15 minutes to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and allow it to cool. Store in an airtight container.
- ENJOY!
Feel free to add in your own combination of nuts and dried fruit (candied ginger, anyone?) as you feel fit. Make it up as you go, what moves you, what makes your mouth water. Follow your inspiration.
Pleasantly Surprised.
Last night, I sat cross-legged on my closet floor and read through my journals from this past year. All four of them. There were some great ideas tucked in those pages, along with some dramatic lines of poems that could've become something amazing, but yet remain orphaned. There was mostly a lot of uninspired and horrible writing. There were some days when the entries were really short, scribbled in half-awake messy handwriting- It's 4:15am and I have a work meeting at 6am. And I'm going to my first MeetUp after work. I'm hungry to meet other people with new ideas and new inspiration and hopefully the ratio of guys:girls will work in my favor.
I'm glad it's all there- a keepsake of my creative process.
There was one overarching feeling that I got while reading through these pages and pages of my daily thoughts- I was pleasantly surprised.
Life is interesting like that. Business ideas that I thought would take off actually fizzled, and how others that were once seeds that I didn't think could survive actually took root and are growing, ever so slowly, but organically and genuinely.
In examining my friendships this past year through the lens of those pages, I've discovered it's the same way with people. How things change in an unplanned way, for better or for worse. And sometimes you have to literally take a step back from a person you've known for years and just look at them from a distance to recognize if it's really them. Suddenly, it's no longer the same person you had seen a million times before. Now, the light hits their hair differently and their eyes dance when they speak to you, and suddenly they are a mysterious ocean that you can't wait to dive deep into and explore. And how you can't help but feel pleasantly surprised at the irony and the beauty of it all.
Today I placed my order for 2016 Team Betty kits. Included in that order was a one-piece trisuit (did I really just type that?). A year ago, I thought I was finished with triathlon and racing. But now, I'm itching to race and welcoming back swimbikerun into my life with a grin. It's been a pleasant surprise, to say the least.
SCA trail along Marin Headlands...
Morning miles along the Alta trail.
I did a solo long run this morning, just exploring new trails and following my curiosity. There are many days that I don't get it right in life. But then there are days like today when I do get it right, when the trails connect and I don't get lost, and when I discover a whole new patch of trees and ocean that I've never seen before. When that happens, I can't help but feel just a bit pleasantly surprised. Those are the good days. The ones we hang on to.
May 2016 be filled with new adventures, new opportunities, and new challenges that open up your eyes to the world. I hope you write your dreams down. I hope you write your fears down. I hope you record your daily thoughts in this journey we call life, so that one day you can look back and laugh and cry and reminisce and remember. And above all, I hope that you are pleasantly surprised.
The Beauty of Reframing.
Early morning miles.
“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”
Coconut Flour Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins (Grain-free, Nut-free, Vegan).
Hello. My name is Julianne and I am a coconut-aholic.
That's right. I recently ditched my body lotion and now slather organic extra virgin coconut oil all over my body. My Aussie deep 3-minute miracle conditioner smells like coconut, along with my Alba Botanics Leave-in conditioner. I swap coconut oil in baking recipes when they call for butter. And the smell of black coconut oil makes me swoon. So it's natural that I incorporate more coconut flour into my recipes, right? Right.
Coconut flour is a different beast in the kitchen. Typically, recipes using coconut flour call for a lot of eggs in order to balance out the consistency and increase the moisture. I used chia eggs instead (1 Tbsp chia seeds + 3 Tbsp water = 1 egg), in order to make these muffins completely plant-based. These muffins are high in protein and fiber, and are perfect for individuals who need a delicious grain-free, nut-free, vegan muffin without sacrificing taste.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3/4 c. coconut flour
- 1/2 c. pumpkin puree
- 1/2 c. pure maple syrup
- 1/4 c. organic blackstrap molasses
- 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 6 chia eggs (mix 1 Tbsp chia seeds + 3 Tbsp water = 1 egg)
- 1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a standard muffin tin with liners.
- Mix all the ingredients together.
- Divide the batter evenly into the 12 muffin tins. The batter does not rise, so shape accordingly.
- Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are crispy and golden.
- Cool for 5-10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar (optional).
- ENJOY!
Movement and Love.
Sunset at Gray Whale Cove Beach.
“I have been feeling very clearheaded lately and what I want to write about today is the sea. It contains so many colors. Silver at dawn, green at noon, dark blue in the evening. Sometimes it looks almost red. Or it will turn the color of old coins. Right now the shadows of clouds are dragging across it, and patches of sunlight are touching down everywhere. White strings of gulls drag over it like beads.
It is my favorite thing, I think, that I have ever seen. Sometimes I catch myself staring at it and forget my duties. It seems big enough to contain everything anyone could ever feel.”
North Peak Trail, McNee Ranch State Park
Coast ride from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay and back...
This weekend has been filled to the brim with all of my favorite things- sunshine, heart-pumping activity, solid good company, with the common denominator being the ocean. After running up Montara Mountain, my friend and I crossed over Highway 1 and galloped down the wooden stairs to Grey Whale Cove Beach. I'm always fascinated by the outdoors, but the scene we were greeted with in the cove was pure poetry in motion. Thunderous waves clapped fiercely against the rocks. Silhouettes of seagulls were illuminated by the vibrant colors of the sunset. Frothy white waves passionately crashed into the shoreline and then dissolved into the sand.
I watched while a woman toed the foamy bubbles at the edge of the shoreline while looking out into the distant horizon. We are all dancing on the edge between the safety of the sandy beach and the fierce mystery and vibrancy and adventure that the ocean holds.
“The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the globe . . . The sea is only a receptacle for all the prodigious, supernatural things that exist inside it. It is only movement and love; it is the living infinite.”
There is so much beauty in this world, and also in words. I'm halfway through Anthony Doerr's novel "All the Light We Cannot See." He paints the most beautiful pictures with his lyrical and poetic writing style. Pick up a copy for yourself, spread out a blanket on a hidden beach, and inhale all of the life around you and on the page.
Persimmon 'n Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins
Last week, I enjoyed the most amazing dessert at Millennium Restaurant- it was a decadent combination of a walnut date pudding topped with a scoop of ginger ice cream and garnished with a candied dried hachiya persimmon. It was delightful, to say the least. This recipe was inspired by that delectable combination of persimmon, ginger, and walnuts...
INGREDIENTS:
For the wet ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- 3 Tablespoons water
- 1 cup organic pumpkin puree
- 1/4 c. blackstrap molasses
- 1/3 c. melted coconut oil
- 3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1/2 c. packed coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 fuyu persimmon, finely chopped and diced
For the dry ingredients:
- 1 2/3 c. whole wheat flour
- 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 c. chopped walnuts
Garnishing ingredients:
- Dried persimmon (I finely sliced a fuyu persimmon and using the 'dehydrator' function on my toaster oven, dried these over 90 minutes)
- chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
- In a small cup, whisk together the chia seeds and water to make a 'chia egg.' Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken.
- Mix together all the wet ingredients in one bowl.
- Mix together all the dry ingredients in a larger bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly over the 12 muffins. Add chopped walnuts and dried persimmon on top for garnish.
- Bake for 20-24 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the muffins in the pan for 5-10 minutes, and then gently transfer onto a cooling rack until completely cool. Enjoy!!
These are now my favorite muffins. It's like an explosion of all the fall flavors combined into one moist muffin. Moist, heart-healthy, plant-based and delightful. Totally dietitian-approved!
Secondhand Rediscovery.
Logging some beautiful sunrise miles up to Redwood Peak. (Photo: J.Torralba)
“One of my favorite feelings is something I call ‘secondhand rediscovery.’ It’s that feeling you get when you show someone the places you love, but for them it’s the first time. You may have seen the place a million times, yet with them, you see it through their eyes, and discover it for yourself all over again...you almost discover it better, because you see it again with the heart knowledge that the place is already beloved. And in the sparking eyes of a friend, you love both the astonishment of something new and the intimacy of something known, all at once.”
Sunrise at Redwood Peak.
At one time, I was that friend, being shown a sacred spot for the first time, marveling in the beauty and electricity of such a unique experience in nature. I love how that moment is forever etched in my heart and memory, just like how those initials carved in the large stones of Redwood Peak will remain there for years to come, as hikers and runners and lovers and loners sit upon those same rocks.
I love the outdoors because places which become common to you can become magical all over again with secondhand rediscovery. It is both a unique miracle and gift to be able to see things again for the first time, with expert eyes.
Break Away.
“I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news.”
Today's sunrise- Coastal Trail, Marin Headlands
I am always astonished that the beauty of a sunrise feels new every single time. I definitely needed to break away from the news this week, to head into nature where there is no phone reception. No racist-infused Facebook posts. No text messages. No emails.
Just dirt trails, coyotes, bunnies, snakes, and miles of ocean. Although I love to solo-trek most of the time, I know that remote trails like these are not only safer with a running partner, but they're also enjoyed exponentially more with someone who shares your joy and love for the outdoors. Not sure where to start? Here's my simple criteria...
How to choose a running partner:
"Should we try this new trail? I'm not exactly sure where it leads to."
"Should we start at sunrise?"
"Should we grab coffee after this?"
If they always answer yes, choose them.
I'm lucky I found mine. Enjoying the descent back down after climbing up from Muir Beach...
Deeper Still.
After today's swim, my friend John inquired, "Why do you like the deep end?" He had witnessed me gradually shift lanes from the shallower side of the pool until I was finally settled in the deepest lane possible.
I thought about it for awhile. I don't like my feet touching the bottom of the pool- something about being so close to the center black line makes me feel claustrophobic. I've spent half of my life in the shallow end (literally and metaphorically-speaking), that now I crave deeper things. Things that really matter. I cringe at how much time I've wasted having shallow conversations, reading shallow Facebook updates, maintaining superficial and shallow friendships. So much of life is already lacking depth. My pool lane should not be one of them.
The quote that first came to mind was from Henry David Thoreau- "I love a wide margin to my life." I realized, like Thoreau, that space and silence are essential for contemplation, for evaluation, for self-actualization. The deep water feels more vast. I love how I can flutter kick and dolphin dive and my feet never reach the bottom of the pool.
I love all things deep-
Deep conversations.
Deep breaths.
Deep questions.
I love the mystery and the adventure and the truth that has yet to be explored. And just when you think you've arrived, you realize there is still more to discover. Here's to swimming in the vastness and depth of the human experience, one stroke at a time. Here's to a lifetime where our feet never ever touch the bottom.