I'll meditate in a graveyard if I feels like it.

For the past 4 minutes (exactly) I have been meditating on Brussel Sprouts.  This kind of intense meditation is new for me.  Like many, I’ve tried meditation in the past and found it to be challenging.  I had given up and put meditating on the shelf for the day when I was more of that person.

Waiting till I was someone with a perfect yoga practice, someone who always ordered the healthy option, someone who never had to put their foot in their mouth, got a walk in daily, and always drank herbal tea instead of coffee.  That was when I would do the meditation thing.

It became apparent that certain wants I had for my life were asking me to center myself.  Given the option to ignore those wants or start to center, I revisited meditation and decided that this time it would look how I wanted it to look, not how I pictured it working for others.  I still had major resistance to meditation, and thought this may be a way for me to succeed.

(aside: I encourage others to try meditation all the time—I recognize the hypocrisy, one reason I needed to give it another shot)..

So the first day I set my iphone timer for 4 minutes and sat in my car.  No pillows, no candle, no soft music.  I inhaled and exhaled and started with 2 words—on the inhale, I.  On the exhale, am.  Within 10 seconds, inhale---I, exhale--am angry.  (What?!)  5 seconds, I--- forgive.  10 seconds, I---want.  10 seconds, I--- love.  10 more, I---am aware. 

This went on and on with whatever came in, I wasn’t thinking or really feeling, wasn’t directing my thoughts they were just taking me through my subconscious for 4 glorious minutes, till my phone starting quacking at me.

It was so easy!  I wanted to enter the world of my subconscious more frequently, I wanted a glimpse at what other emotions were lurking beneath the surface of the distraction in my daily life!  What else was I angry/sad/anxious about?

The next day I brought out my yoga mat and lit a candle, I put my pretty meditation pillow on the floor and set my timer for 4 minutes.  Nothing.  I was squirmy and distracted.  I couldn’t relax.  I kept thinking of what I had to do and twice had to stop myself from subconsciously, like a jerk reflex, getting up and starting the dishes.

Back to the car.

The past 2 weeks I’ve realized meditation for me has to be light.  I have to be able to laugh at it if I want.  Sit somewhere unexpected.  Set my timer for 1 minute if that’s all I’m feeling and if I’m not feeling it---inhale, Brussel.  Exhale, Sprouts. 

Brussel Sprout salad repurposed and repurposed again.

This brussel sprout salad is one of my favorite dishes to bring to Holiday get togethers.  Primarily because it is so unexpected--brussel sprouts uncooked?  It throws people off initially and redeems itself quickly with delicious delicate flavors and an opportunity to see the possibilities.

• 1 lb brussel sprouts
• dried cranberries (soak in white wine or sherry for a soft yummy addition)
• toasted sunflower seeds
• sautéed shallots, leaks, or red onion (sauté with a little olive oil and salt till sweet)
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• ½ cup olive oil
• sea salt
• black pepper
• shaved parmesan
• Optional: baby spinach leaves

Wash sprouts well and peel any crummy looking outer layer.

Chop off base of sprout.

Slice thin by hand (this is what I do) or slice in food processor with slicing attachment.

Mix lemon juice and olive oil and toss with sprouts so that leaves are lightly dressed (you may have some left over, add it to taste)

You can let this sit so that the leaves soften or add the rest right away.

Toss with cranberries, sunflower seeds, onion of choice, parmesan, salt and pepper.

It is colorful, seasonal, delicious, and my favorite attribute---unexpected.

I’ve made this for 2 parties so far and both times made way too much, got a little slice happy with the brussel sprouts (a little goes a long way with this salad).

I had leftovers and wanted to make something warm.

Brussel Sprout and Potato Pancakes

• Mix in 1 shredded potato or sweet potato
• 3 Tbl flour
• 1 egg

Make into patties and sauté in olive or coconut oil till browned

We had the pancakes with eggs for lunch.  I admittedly have a hard time with eating leftovers unless I can make it new somehow, so the idea of eating the pancakes again for dinner was lacking.

One of my favorite lacking leftover defenses?  The basic savoury pie crust. 

I like to throw anything into a crust, add 3 eggs beaten with a little milk, and herbs.  Throw some cheese in and it's a party.

We had enough leftover salad to throw into 2 pie crusts.  I froze one and brought it to my mother's brunch the following weekend and we ate the other with salad for breakfast--frenchy style.