Heart Center
quiet cat-like tread
lightly in the darkened room
roll out mats and
smooth cloth to flatten
rest and peace
enter together
in the room’s dark
warmth embracing
let child’s pose stay
bend in supplication
clear your mind
clear your heart
focus… breathe
in….out
release all thoughts,
be here now
gently shift, move
and lift into
Cobra
then downward dog
slowly
ever so slowly
lower to plank… hold… hold
then release and move…
back to cobra
downward dog
swiftly your feet move
to strong warrior
face trepidation
hold your own gaze
posture erect and strong,
unyielding, fixed
then turn
lift your hands
and your gaze
to the sun.. triangle
pure release
bring hands to
♥
Heart Center
Sun Salutation
fill your mind
compose your heart
breathe and be still
be here now
Namaste
Few activities give as great as pleasure as meditation through yoga… hot yoga (if you dare!) It can be an epiphany… if you allow it… where body, heart, and mind coexist together in synchronicity. Then “whoosh” cool, fresh air enters as you leave the room refreshed, engaged and ready to take on another day…
To keep this feeling of “reverence” alive, try to feed your body nourishment that suggests balance in a natural state. Become renewed for everything life showers your way…
Black Sesame Otsu
(Heidi Swanson, super natural every day)
“The black sesame paste I use here has become one of my standbys. I typically make extra for use on salads, broccoli, spinach, green beans, edamame, even roasted potatoes. You can make the black sesame paste a couple of days in advance, if needed, and it’s fine to use white sesame seeds if that’s what is available to you. Lastly! Otsu leftovers make a great next-day lunch.”
Ingredients
1 teaspoon pine nuts
1 teaspoon sunflower seeds
1/2 cup / 2 oz / 60 g black sesame seeds
1 1/2 tablespoons natural cane sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons shoyu, tamari, or soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons mirin
Scant 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Fine-grain sea salt
12 ounces / 340 g soba noodles
12 ounces / 340 g extra-firm tofu
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 bunch green onions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced
Directions
Toast the pine nuts and sunflower seeds in a large skillet over medium heat until golden, shaking the pan regularly. Add the sesame seeds to the pan and toast for a minute or so. It’s hard to tell when they are toasted; look closely and use your nose. Remove from the heat as soon as you smell a hint of toasted sesame; if you let them go much beyond that, you’ll start smelling burned sesame – not good. Transfer to a mortar and pestle and crush the mixture; the texture should be like black sand. Alternatively, you can use a food processor. Stir in the sugar, shoyu, mirin, sesame oil, brown rice vinegar, and cayenne pepper. Taste and adjust if needed.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt generously, add the soba, and cook according to the package instructions until tender. Drain, reserving some of the noodle cooking water, and rinse under cold running water.
While the noodles are cooking, drain the tofu, pat it dry, and cut into matchstick shapes. Season the tofu with a pinch of salt, toss with a small amount of oil, and cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes, tossing every couple of minutes, until the pieces are browned on all sides.
Reserve a heaping tablespoon of the sesame paste, then thin the rest with 1/3 cup / 80 ml of the hot noodle water. In a large mixing bowl, combine the soba, half of the green onions, and the black sesame paste. Toss until well combined. Add the tofu and toss again gently. Serve topped with a tiny dollop of the reserved sesame paste and the remaining green onions.
Serves 4.
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by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
I haven’t done yoga for over a year now! Think I would snap in half if I tried – will have to ease myself into it again…. I love the look of your dish Smidge!
Mandy
Inspirational piece. I bought a DVD with beginner lessons but I find some it very stressful on my knees. My right knee is always a problem,particularly during winter months.
I am so inflexible I’m sure I would be rejected from any yoga class. But that noodle dish is something I could definitely try. Very delicious flavours there.
WOW! This was so interesting, I loved it dear Barbara and I have just learned this one. Thank you, with my love, nia
I love Japanese foods as my mind reminisces about when our family lived in Yokohama. Your flavors so simple and fresh. Your poems get more beautiful each day. BAM
You never cease to amaze, Smidge! You start out by describing — or was it an invitation — your yoga exercises. From there, it’s a trip into the kitchen to prepare a Japanese dish that is both healthy and hearty (not an easy thing to accomplish). Great post!
What a truly beautiful and inspirational post! I’ve never thought of using black sesame seeds in this way, but now I want to try it ASAP! Looks delicious and healthy!
I actually just finished doing yoga! I love the way I feel when I am done, but would you believe that I have never done hot yoga? I love this Otsu recipe…so healthy and I bet it tastes delicious!
That looks so intriguing! What a cool recipe.
Since I got back from my retreat I have been looking for healthy recipes; this one fits the bill so I am going to make it at the weekend. Thanks for sharing.;)
Loved your salutation to the sun! I love soba noodles, and Smidge, I love what you’ve done with them. A beauful post, altogether. (now, off to yoga!)
Another delicious recipe; I’ve never used my black sesame seeds for anything other than a simple add-in, but now will look at them differently! (Not that I don’t enjoy them “straight up” too.) I would think this “pesto” would work beautifully with the nutty taste of buckwheat soba as well.
Bikram yoga is intense!! I did it for a couple of months, years ago, with R (who loves it and wants to find some place closer to us where he can study Bikram again), and was done in by it. But then, I was on the verge of meltdown at the time (pre-medication!) and probably wouldn’t have the same exaggerated struggles with its discipline now. All the same, I loved the meditative aspect of yoga a great deal, so *I’m* thinking of finding another kind of yoga class that I can take now, at least as a re-beginner. That mindfulness and careful movement appeals to me very much, sans the intense heat of Bikram (which I’ll be able to practice outdoors here soon enough
).
And I meant to say that this poem captured all that I *do* love about yoga! Sweetly said.
A beautiful poem in a post full of wisdom. I have never done yoga, but I know the experience you are talking about from being out in mother nature, away from everything and being only with yourself.
Lovely!! I still need to try yoga – I think I’m the only person in the world who hasn’t.
I really need to try yoga, everyone around me is so happy they started.
I’ve only been in hot yoga at three centers here in town and found the temperature range varied widely, as did the skill of the instructor and the level of intensity of the moves. Although what I love about yoga is the absolutely non-competitive aspect of it.. I assume “child’s pose” quite regularly throughout the class… Sometimes at the gym too (grin).. Just kidding… I hope you find something that is a good fit:) I would love to find a meditation practice somewhere, but I don’t think it exists outside of a temple??
That is definitely true.. My girlfriends and I did yoga by the ocean in San Diego… Whale watching the entire time… It was so special:)
Oh, well.. There’s lots of time for new things:)
It sure seems to help with everyday activities as well.. Plus it makes you feel just plain old “happy”, as you say:)
Hahaha, easing into anything new is always my preferred style:) especially with yoga!
I have terrible knees.. I always ask the instructor to modify.. In my “boot camp class” today we were supposed to jump up on a bench.. I just laughed.. Sadly I think my “jumping up” days are few and far between!! We lowered it and I could do a few:) xo Smidge
Hahaha, no rejection allowed in yoga (thank goodness for that!) I love that spirit of friendship and support there… Everyone just does there own thing:)
Thank you nia, it was so delicious.. I actually made it a while back and am craving it today… Now that I see the photos again:) xo Smidge
I think that’s what I love most about your blog posts.. The unique flavors and combinations of them… Thanks!!
Well thank you, John! I think you’ve been up to something as well, so I’m heading over to read your blog:) Hope you’re having a wonderful day today!
Well, isn’t that a neat coincidence?! Now your day is off to a good start. Hot yoga is perfect here in the (brrr) winter!
It is a cool recipe for sure!
It has a few extra steps but I loved it!! Well worth the time!
I love that part too… Hands at heart center… Feels so calming, doesn’t it?
I do my yoga stretches every morning and i have never had black sesame paste before, good food is hard to beat. how is it out there .,. do you still have piles of snow!?.. c
Oh.. Just piles and piles.. Hard to believe I was wishing for snow:) It is pretty though…
This look very enticing, Barbara. I am entirely in love with the flavours in your recipe, but have not combined them in this way, and soba noodles…do I really need another noodle I love? I think not, but sometimes I just can’t help myself. I will have to try this, damn it, another noodle dish to crave. Thank you, really, I mean it. I know I’m going to love it.
This looks fabulously delicious Smidge! And now I even know what soba noodles are! I know the kids would love this too. It’s right up their alley. And I’m with you – nothing better than yoga. I do hot yoga at least twice a week. It provides me with sanity.
Yum! Love soba noodles and this sesame paste sounds fantastic! Loved the poem!
It sure was:) Thanks so much, very nice to see you here!
Noodles… yes, I understand… I have a thing for noodle anything! This is one to crave that’s for sure!
Isn’t it just the best? Although in the summer I’m not as fond of the hot room, but nothing is cozier in the winter. Yes, wish I had had yoga when my kids were younger and life was crazier. Who am I kidding, life is still crazy!
Thanks so much Geni, this is a true compliment coming from you:)
Can you believe I never tried soba noodles before.. and I’ve never heard of this Black Sesame Otsu dish either.. but that won’t stop me from making this. You always inspire me when I come here
Reblogged this on theconservativehillbilly.
This healthy dish looks delicious. And, I love yoga. I want to get back into the practice soon.
This noodle dish looks unique and tasty!
Browsing your blog and fell in love with it. I’ve added it to my blogroll as I think my group of blogger friends will love it too. I have recently tried restorative yoga…hot yoga sounds fun!
lovely
Wow look at all of those flavours in that plate, I love this very unique and sounds appetizing
Beautiful! I’ve only made her regular sesame-ginger otsu from her first super natural cooking book. I have been dying to try out this black sesame version… love your pictures of it.
Tomorrow is day 120 of my year-long commitment to practice yoga every day. I love your poetic description of a morning practice. I haven’t tried hot yoga yet, but I have practiced in front of the fireplace with a fire going. It’s wonderful.
Thank you for another great looking recipe. Can’t wait to try this one. I just bought a jar of black sesame seeds, not at all sure what I would do with them. Now I know.
This dish looks awesome! The colors are incredibly vibrant.
What a lovely zen like post
I opt for pilates over yoga, but find it gives me the same peaced out feeling and makes me want to fill my body with good food, like this yummo dish!!