The Blog
This is where Buffy Owens muses on the threads of curiosity woven throughout her life. She tugs at the threads of body wisdom, follows the rhythms and seasons of being human, and gathers the dreams that keep calling us toward the human we’re becoming in the second half of life.
Move Into Mindfulness
My own experience with becoming more mindful was genuinely uncomfortable. Every single thought seemed to echo in my physical being. I was amazed to discover how unconscious conditioning ruled both my perceptions and sensations. I decided very early on that working directly with my mind through mindfulness and meditation, was just as important as working with the history trapped in my physiology.
Satisfied vs. Full
When we think about being mindful of eating until well before we are stuffed, we often think about noticing when we begin to feel full. But actually, this practice starts well before you even sit down at the dinner table.
Tuning in to your body's cues and not feeling deprived go hand-in-hand.
Smoky Lentil + Cabbage Soup Recipe
I love soups. In fact, every Sunday (Soup Sunday), I make soup for the week — especially during the cooler months. Having soup on hand makes for easier meal prep throughout the week. Plus, most soups freeze well. So I can stock the freezer for days when I don’t have the time or bandwidth for preparing a meal from scratch.
In my household, we have different nourishing needs. My partner often prefers more meat. I prefer more vegetarian meals. For this recipe, I cook it up until the point where the lentils are fully cooked. After that, I divide the soup before I serve. I add the kale and corn to my soup and the Polish Sausage and spinach to his.
I hope that you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.
Musings On The Psoas
The psoas (pronounced so-az) has come up a few times in our live classes in the last several months. Really, it was just in passing as we looked at anatomy related to the tongue, pelvic floor, diaphragm, and heart.
But it sparked some curiosity.
In fact, I had three members reach out to request a series on the psoas. So I chucked March's arches & waves series and started prepping for the upcoming Hips + Psoas series.
I have to admit. I'm pretty excited about it. The psoas is a fascinating muscle... and some would say not just a muscle.
Go Fast Without Hurrying
Recently, a person asked:
"I'm interested in the Feldenkrais concept to "go slow without hurrying." Whether it's while eating, walking, etc. Can you explain more about it and how to cultivate that practice?"
My response was relatively short, so I'll expand upon it here. And, I ask that you join me in sharing your experience with fast, slow & hurrying in the comments below. Together, we can start to paint a more comprehensive picture of how to cultivate change.
5 Tips For A Sustainable Mindful Movement Practice
A few weeks ago, I went on a relatively short and easy hike in the woods, a trail I had been on before. It led to a beautiful watering hole where a stream became a waterfall, ultimately flowing into a large pool for swimming before continuing onward. The trail was quite wide and did not have many obstructions to deal with; it was also relatively flat.
Along I plodded, anxious to reach the water to cool off as it was an exceptionally hot and muggy day. Halfway there and my feet and back were already tiring. By the time I reached all the action, which was only a mile in, my feet had moved past tiring to aching.
Cardamom Bliss Balls
I love the taste of cardamom for sweet treats and savory dishes. Most of the cardamom bought here in the states is green cardamom. It has a strong, sweet, pungent flavor and aroma, with hints of lemon and mint. But there’s also black cardamom with a smoky note and hint of menthol. Green cardamom pairs nicely with sweet treats (think Scandinavian baked goods), fruit, and savory dishes like curries and kababs. Yes. It is that dynamic.
Today we’ll create some simple Cardamom Bliss Balls for a super simple tasty treat. They’re a perfect match for your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
More Movement. Less Exercise
There is no life without movement. From the blood that pulses through our veins to the actions required to gather and consume food, your mind and body are intimately connected. And while your brain is the master control system for your body’s movement, the way you move can also affect how you think and feel.
Some of the functions for movement are obvious — like hunting and gathering. Other critical aspects of movement may be less obvious — like the way movement acts as an extension of your cardiovascular system or primary pump for your lymphatic system. And then, there are all the other ways movement impacts you emotionally, mentally, and socially.
There’s a lot I could say about movement. But for today, we'll focus on the importance of moving more in everyday life.
Polish Greek-Style (baked) Fish
The star of this dish is rooty dish is the knobby celery root. But this funky root doesn’t party alone. It’s joined by its skin-loving companion, the carrot, and Omega-rich fish friend. If you’re looking for a new dish to add to your menu that will nourish you through the midlife ‘pause (hello perimenopause) and be great for the family and on the go, then this Polish fish dish is for you.