Bridging into Summer

May 11, 2016

It’s still often kind of cold in New York, or rather say, for the past month, the weather’s been going between summertime and early spring. There’s still a definite chill in the air early in the morning despite some days being sunny, everyone is ready for the real warmth hoping it’d not only penetrate our bodies but souls too. We want sunshine in the heart!

I’ve been quite busy these last few months, being a practitioner but also being a student, there is a part of me that’s pushing for more knowledge, not only to be a better therapist but also to understand myself more, I think we can’t really start guiding others if we haven’t done our own work and integrated our own lessons. There haven’t been much time to post here, and I really missed doing that, but I had to recognize that certain things, no matter how much loved, have to give for a bit so I can maintain a literal balance in life and concentrate on what’s in front of me, that’s my health and just trying to develop what I truly consider my life mission – guiding people on a discovery path to their authentic Self and help them heal their pain. And that authentic Self has to start with myself I think, after short two months, I realized that I needed to move my Manhattan office location Downtown. As much as I love dressing up to go to theater or a nice restaurant in the area, Midtown, with its starchy white business shirts and office buildings is not where my spirit truly thrives, after the theater play is finished and the meal is eaten, I’ll eventually veer off South. I’m a “Flower Child” at heart so it only “serves” me to serve others around Union Square and not on 57 Street, there is a different energy here, and even the air seems more airy.

So I’ve been bridging myself into this new period of life, and today’s sunny weather is bridging us into summer. I need a stronger stride in each of my steps, and I need sunshine in my every heartbeat. I feel like music can shine through and illuminate every dark corner of a soul, I’m off to see a concert at my favorite church St. Ignatius Loyola. What are you up to this warm spring evening?

What’s Cooking This Week

Food is one of the things we associate with weather seasons, and seafood is surely plentiful during warmer months. There’s nothing better than a plate of a freshly cooked summer seafood dish, and today’s recipe brings you just that, it’s pretty simple (but with a twist) yet light in texture and full of flavor. I’m using slightly different gluten free pasta as it combines flours and starches to give you that lighter summer taste. And just a bit of heat in the garnish makes you fully appreciate hot summer days and to pair this dish with a nicely chilled white wine.

Seafood Linguine with Mushrooms and Spicy Almonds

1 lb large shrimps, cleaned, tails intact

12 fresh clams

10-12 oz gluten free linguine

6-8 oz sliced baby Bella mushrooms

2 large shallots, thinly chopped

1/2 cup sliced/slivered almonds

2 large garlic cloves, pressed through garlic press

1 cup of white wine

1 Tbsp of butter

1 Tbsp of crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp of smoked paprika

1/2 tsp of honey

1 tsp each coriander and oregano

3 bay leaves

salt, pepper, olive oil

fresh basil to garnish

Even though you’ll need three pots to cook this meal, it’s still quite simple and quick as most of it is done at the same time. Put a pot of water to boil for pasta, heat up butter and wine to prep for cooking clams, and in another pan, heat up some olive oil and first lightly sauté pressed garlic, then add sliced almonds, red pepper flakes and a drizzle of honey to prepare your garnish.