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
Category Archives: Tofu
Our diet deviation began after inadvertently watching Oprah‘s “Where Does Your Food Come From?” and “Inside the Slaughterhouse” television show. Although my always “in the know” friend Jane warned me, I watched with great intentions. I entirely expected to be educated not horrified. Needless to say, ThaaannnkQ Oprah… before viewing your show I was blissfully…
Barb – you are truly amazing! Whenever you have posted one of your blogs on Facebook in the past, I always stopped to read them and thought “What an erudite writer – so well-spoken and just lovely to read!”. I never really looked further to see who the author was, thinking it was something you had found on the Net that appealed to you, that you wished to share with your FB friends.
Well, this morning I read your latest blog! I so enjoy your writing and find it curiously soothing in this hectic life.
Thanks for sharing – keep it up. (And thanks for the recipe – it looks delish!)
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!!