Amy Jo's Blog

my orchestra

amyjo — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:44:54 +0000

“i am always tuning my orchestra. somewhere deep inside there is a sound that is mine and mine alone, and i struggle daily to hear it and tune my life to it. sometimes there are people and situations that help me hear my note more clearly; other times, people and situations make it harder for me to hear. a lot depends on my commitment to listening and my intention to stay coherent with this note. it is only when my life is tuned to my note that i can play life’s mysterious and holy music without tainting it with my own discordance, my own bitterness, resentment, agenda’s and fears.”

-naomi remen

black-eyed peas & collard greens

amyjo — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:08:52 +0000

my grandmother used to make turnip greens (turnips and collards soaked in bacon grease and love) almost weekly when i was growing up. she has a knack for making something out of nothing, particularly in her kitchen. a few empty pots and pans quickly evolve into the most magical meals before anyone even realizes they are hungry. her goal is to make sure each and every body that walked through her door left the house with a belly full of comfort food. this black-eyed pea & collard greens dish is inspired by her, packed full of fiber, protein, and antioxidants.

black-eyed peas & collard greens

1 onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, chopped

2 cups black-eyed peas, dry

1 head of cabbage, de-stemmed & chopped

1 bunch of collard greens, washed and chopped

1 tbs. cumin powder

salt

2 tbs. olive oil

water

apple cider vinegar

1. soak peas overnight. rinse well & drain.

2. heat olive oil in large pot. saute onions until translucent.

3. add garlic and saute 5 more minutes.

4. add cumin powder, salt, peas and cabbage.

5. cover ingredients with water.

6. bring to a boil and simmer for 45 minutes.

7. add collard greens and cook 15 more minutes.

8. serve in bowl with 1-2 tbs. of apple cider vinegar.

you need only claim the events of your life to make yourself yours. when you truly possess all you have been and done, which may take some time, you are fierce with reality.

amyjo — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:49:13 +0000

- florida scott-maxwell

happy new year~

amyjo — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:28:10 +0000

your voice

amyjo — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:03:00 +0000

found via imgfave

Kitchari

amyjo — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 07:06:48 +0000

Kitchari (pronounced kitch-a-ree) is a traditional Ayurvedic porridge native to India. It is made with mung beans, rice, vegetables, and a variety of spices aimed to cleanse the digestive system and remove toxins from the body. The type of vegetables can vary, depending on the season and your dosha – Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. During the winter, I eat sweet potatoes just about every day, as well as leafy greens, so I included them both in the recipe. This dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner and is nourishing for all body types.

If you would like more information on your own constitution, you can take a short quiz here for free.

Kitchari

2 tbs. coconut oil

1 onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbs. ginger, grated

1 tbs. fennel seeds

1 tbs. turmeric powder

1 tbs. cumin powder

1 tbs. coriander

2 tsp. cloves

1 cup mung beans, soaked overnight and rinsed

1/3 cup brown rice or basmati rice

5 cups water

seasonal vegetables, chopped (sweet potato, cauliflower, collard greens, cabbage)

Salt

1. Saute onion in coconut oil in large pot over medium heat until softened and slightly translucent.

2. Stir in garlic, ginger, and spices and cook for about 5 minutes.

3. Add rice, mung beans and water. Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes.

4. Add vegetables and salt. Simmer for about an hour.

answered prayers

amyjo — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:43:33 +0000

my favorite story i’ve heard all week.

self-portrait

amyjo — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:00:09 +0000

It doesn’t interest me if there is one God
or many gods. I want to know if you belong or feel
abandoned. If you know despair or can see it in others.
I want to know
if you are prepared to live in the world
with its harsh need to change you.
If you can look back with firm eyes
saying this is where I stand. I want to know
if you know how to melt into that fierce heat of living
falling toward the center of your longing.
I want to know if you are willing
to live, day by day, with the consequence of love
and the bitter unwanted passion of your sure defeat.

I have heard, in that fierce embrace, even
the gods speak of God.

by David Whyte

the greatest gift

amyjo — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:26:21 +0000

do you want me to tell you something really subversive? love is everything it is cracked up to be. that is why people are so cynical about it. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. and the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.

amyjo — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:51:52 +0000

by erica jong