Patience Tested

Update on Project Kombucha: it's never as easy as it looks.

A week has passed and my SCOBY-to-be looks like... a jar of Kombucha.  No film, not even some little white spots to indicate even a hint of potential. 

This gentleman's method gives me hope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTs6bJ-O-1Q

I also attribute the lack of progress thus far to the chilly weather in D.C. the last week or so.  I mean it's no Minnesota winter, but we have dipped down to 30s at night and my Kombucha SCOBY is supposed to be developing at a temperature of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Stay tuned for more SCOBY updates.

Now We Wait

Patience has always been a virtue that I've struggled with. 

Day 1 Kombucha consistency

After running through D.C. like a madwoman last night trying to accumulate all the necessary ingredients to brew my home-made kombucha during a snowquester, I finally made it home.  I handwashed my newly purchased 2 quart glass jar (both Target and Bed Bath & Beyond seemed to be out of Ball canning jars, but we make due) and made sure to rinse off all soap to avoid contaminating the scoby.  Then I brewed a cup of black tea, had been hoping for Darjeeling but Tynan was out so I settled for buying a bag of loose leaf English Breakfast.  Black tea is
recommended for brewing kombucha because it is easiest to use when developing the scoby.  I added 2 T of white sugar to the black tea and blended until smooth.  Then it was recommended to wait until the black tea reached room temperature.

Once the black tea had cooled, I poured it into the 2 quart glasss jar.  Then I added the entire bottle of raw Kombucha (non-flavored is recommended) to the jar as well.  I covered the jar's opening with two paper towels and secured them to the top with a rubber band.

Now we wait.  Here's to hoping none of my roommates throw it out as the scopy starts to settle!  And here's to welcoming an opportunity to practice patience.

Hello World, It's Kombucha Time

Sometimes in life I get bored.  For whatever reason I get that angsty feeling like something creative needs to come out of me or I'll BURST!  In the past, this emotion has manifested itself into new knitting projects, taking a stab at a challenging yoga pose, or setting aside time to draw or write. 

Today, I have become fixated on home-brewed Kombucha.

I have always been a fan of GT's Kombucha ever since I saw a jar sitting on the desk of a coworker.  It looked so mystical and exciting.  I must try this, self said to me.  As expected, it tasted magnificent.  I have a personal preference for GT's multi-green and anything with chia seeds in it (another new health fixation of mine).  Unfortunately this bubbly elixir costs me $4 a pop and is very difficult to find at your average grocery story in D.C.

Today it came to my attention that this beverage has a devoted hippie following and comes with custom recipes, tips, and abundant enthusiasm for the craft.  Everyone has their own brew and method of creating it. 

To learn more about the process that lay ahead, I consulted the Internet.  Duh, the Internet knows everything.  The response is pretty much what you'd expect: doctors say the verdict is still out on medical benefits, while hipsters worldwide are buying the stuff in bulk and swearing by its benefits from clearing out the digestive system to curing cancer.  Long story short, no one really knows what to think but anything that has claim as a ancient Chinese immortal elixir is good in my book - so I'm thinking why not give it a whirl.

The verdict on health benefits: I like the taste and feel healthy after drinking it.  Listen to my body.  I am also following the advice of fellow lovers of Kombucha and found a very thorough (free!) guide here that walks through the home-brewing process.

Tonight I embark upon Step 1 of the Kombucha Quest: creating the SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast).  All I need to pick up are black loose leaf tea, a quart size canning jar, and a bottle of unflavored Kombucha.

Always there for you

I'm going to be honest: I haven't gone to yoga in two weeks (at least hot yoga). I have fell in love with acrobatic yoga and climbing and with all the work that needs to be done, my meditative movement practice has gone to the wayside. I feel guilty. Oh but wait, yoga is there for you all the time. It never leaves you, even when you leave it.

I thought about this this morning when I realized how much I miss Miss Natalie. She's so far away and we can't cook for each other or share those looks that say so much with uttering a word. Yet, she is always there when I need her, always lending an ear. Yoga is like a best friend who is super busy and very far away: just because you couldn't spend time with it these few weeks, doesn't mean you aren't close and connected. Yoga will always be there for me and I can get back into it when the time presents itself.

So I guess the whole point of this post is to remind who ever reads this thing to be nice to yourself and don't beat yourself up. I will go to yoga tomorrow. I will make time for it, but I won't freak out to get there. Now, to get the time and funds to go be with Nat.....

Jazz Up GF Waffles

Always love sharing gluten-free recipes that sound amazing with my favorite gluten-free gal Jessica.  Click below for a way to jazz up cinnamon 'n' honey gluten-free waffles.  It involves ricotta cheese...

http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/meal-ideas/20-nutrition-experts%E2%80%99-favorite-5-minute-meals?page=10

Intention

One of my favorite traditions in yoga practice is the setting of an intention.  Without trying to take myself too seriously, here's my attempt at what our intention is in creating this collaborative project toward better health.

Jessica and I both care deeply about our health, but we struggle with modest budgets and stressful work environments as recent college graduates.  We also both hate scales.  Being healthy is a feeling, not a number.

So what is our vision for this space?  We don't claim to be experts.  We're just trying to eat well, think happy thoughts, love our minds and our bodies, stop struggling, and find our breath.  We think those are pretty reasonable goals.  And we think that we stand a better chance when we try to achieve our goals together.  So here goes!

Firsts

First..things: car, goal, touchdown, kiss. They share one characteristic: they are awkward and totally worth it. 

Here is the first post of something that exposes my life, and the life of my best friend to the world (I guess those who would be reading this). We choose to be healthy and to find ways to accomplish that goal. We chose to not be scared of new ideas, but to experience them before judging them. Here's the first post: the idea that Natalie's and my writing might be useful to others, not just for their bodies, but for the whole person. 

My personal hopes is that we help bring new ideas forward to ensure personal growth, self love, self-improvement, and a sense of service to everything around a person. Natalie probably wants some way cooler things for you as well.

Here's my first post, which will lead to a second one!

Jessica