Meghan Pearson2013-05-26T01:12:39-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.ca/author/index.php?author=meghan-pearsonCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Meghan PearsonGood old fashioned elbow grease.Building the Perfect Toronto Must-Do Listtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.33094952013-05-20T20:35:29-04:002013-05-20T22:22:37-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
That's me and my longest standing Toronto friend, BFF Kim, circa 2008, in front of the world's tallest free-standing structure, both integral parts to my life in Toronto!
What would you do if you only had 130 days left? 130 days in Toronto, that is?
The countdown has begun to my departure from the city I have called home for 12 years, and with that comes a titch of sadness, a ton of excitement, and a desire to taste all this city has to offer before I pack up and say toodle-loo. I have officially given notice to my landlord and have a possible new tenant coming to see my flat next week, who, I hope, will want to take on both my place and some of the furniture it houses! I have started offering up my belongings to friends, tossing the items that can't be up-cycled, donated, or gifted. Goodwill has now seen a good majority of my winter wear, and I have finally ditched my full body parka purchased way back in 2003. Yes indeed-y, I am in full preparation mode for my massive move...my move to Costa Rica in the fall, where I will be living my dream, teaching raw food classes and yoga full time. And the always cold, it's never humid enough parts of me hope to never have to see another Canadian winter again!
Lately, every time I find myself walking, or more recently, biking, through the different areas, neighbourhoods, and coves of TO, it comes to my attention that there are plenty of things that I have not experienced in this city since moving here at the ripe old age of 20. I have lived a full and thrilling life as I forged through one decade and into another, learning, living, and I thought, leaving no stone unturned. But now as I plan to uproot, it is evident that there is still plenty that I have not seen; much ado about something. So as I revel in my last summer as a full time resident of the T-Dot, I am excited to start crossing some things of the long-overdue TO-DO list that has held presence in the back of my mind for so many years.
As day 129 approaches, I am committing myself. I will make time to do as much as I can in what spare time I can find away from working, teaching my summer yoga programs and planning for my Costa Rican retreats, to see this city like I haven't ever seen it before. And I am going to try and complete as many as I can, in the time that I have, for as little cost as possible. Wish me luck!
Oh, and I am taking suggestions as well, as I am sure there is loads more to explore than I am listing here. And I can't wait to write all about it here on HuffPost! I bet there are so many hidden gems, holy haunts, and have-to's that I am in the dark about, and I want to hear about them! So if you want to let me know what else I should give a go, tweet me at @MAPWellness, and I will add it to the summer planning! Time to make some dates with my city!
My T-Dot To-Dos:
Re-learn how to sew (so I can make my own clothes!). I think I will check out The Sewing Room in my 'hood!
Learn Spanish - I am excited to be working with local school The Spanish Studio for this one - already in progress.
Bike ride to Niagara on the Lake (I know, not really city-centric, but a must do!).
"Officially" run a 5K. You know, like in a race.
Salsa lessons.
Got an idea for me? Tweet me the deets at @MAPWellness!
]]>Dairy got ya down? Try These in Your Smoothietag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.32979872013-05-19T19:45:00-04:002013-05-20T12:00:23-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
It's smoothie season! Well, wait. Every season is smoothie season as far as I am concerned. But the seasons of spring and summer certainly do inspire lighter eating in many of us. I know that personally, I do tend towards more raw food and liquid lunching this time of year, and even though I have recently retired my hat as a vegan, I do still prefer using a non-dairy base in my blended concoctions. Why? Well I often puree up more than one beverage in the morning, enjoying one straight away for breakfast, and toting the second in my bag to work to enjoy as a midday pick-me-up. And I don't like the idea of my smoothie greens marinating in dairy all day long...I don't know is that weird? Not to mention, I also like to add fresh or frozen fruit to my smoothies too, and the combo of dairy and fruit can wreak some real havoc on my digestive system!
I prefer to make my own rather than purchasing one of the many tetra pack products from the store as this way I can control what goes into the recipe; non of the additives or preservatives that mass produced beverages often require.
Regardless of reason, I think we can all stand to ditch the dairy every now and then, and replacing your cows' milk with one of these plant-based options in your daily drink is a great place to start. Nut and seed milks are packed full of protein, and make for nutritious and delicious snacks any time of day.
Classic Almond Milk
1C Almonds, soaked at least 6 hours
4 C water
2 dates or 1 T agave syrup
2 t vanilla
Drain almonds from soaking water. Add to blender with water, dates and vanilla. Process for two minutes. Strain through nutmilk bag. You can save the remaining pulp, dehydrate it and use it as flour for other recipes.
ALTERNATIVE: If you do nut have a high powered blender or nut milk bag, or are simply in a pinch, combine 4 cups water & 2 tablespoons raw nut butter and blend. No straining necessary!
Coconut Milk
3 C coconut flakes or unsweetened dried coconut shreds
5 C water
Blend, strain, enjoy! Store in the fridge, and bring to room temperature, and re-blend before serving for best consistency.
Be aware that homemade milks do separate upon rest. Shake vigorously prior to serving!
I have been rather absent for my blogging the last few weeks due to some major deadlines and projects that took up more time than I had imagined! But it feels good to be back here online, and back in my kitchen playing with FOOD!
I just wrapped up a very busy weekend up in cottage country, where I was guest speaker/presenter/yoga teacher during the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario's Spring Wellness Weekend at Taboo Resort. It was a beautiful event, and I feel blessed to have been selected to lead not one, not two, but THREE sessions over the course of the three days. My two hour lecture on how to overcome trauma and life's many hurdles was a brand new experience for me, but received great response, as did my yoga class & RAW Food Demo (60 ladies got to sample my recipes!). I am very excited to have been asked to again take part in another upcoming retreat weekend with the organization in June, and if you want to see picture highlights from this past week's event, and hear about what's on tap for MAP Wellness in the coming months, sign up for my newsletter.
Now, onto today's recipe...
With the warm weather that has finally been whisked into our world, I find myself even more in want of easy, breezy raw meals. Sometimes a gal gets tired of salads, and so I decided that this week I wanted to whip up a light and fresh soup that I could snack on all day long, but that also had enough sustenance to hold off hunger pangs if it was all I managed to scarf down on busy afternoons at the clinic. What I came up with is the following cashew creation, that I managed to create using only a handful of ingredients I had on hand; no grocery store trip required. Whiz away!
Creamy Cashew Coconut Soup
In a high powered blender, puree the following until rich, smooth, and frothy:
2 C water
1 C dried, shredded, unsweetened coconut
1 C raw cashews
1 clove garlic
3 dates
2 T fresh OJ or 1/2 an orange
1/2 t onion powder OR 1 green onion
pinch chili flakes
1 t sea salt
To serve, top with your choice of thai inspired stir-ins such as:
cucumber or zucchini noodles (I used tofu noodles)
cherry tomatoes
fresh basil
fresh cilantro
baby spinach
diced fresh shallot
sliced avocado
(I used tofu noodles, green mango, basil & goji berries!)
]]>We Are All Oktag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.31668682013-04-28T18:09:03-04:002013-04-28T18:09:26-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
I have been working on a project the past few months. This project involves my having to reflect upon, and write about my life, and then put it all to Powerpoint. This has been one of the oddest things I have ever had to do.
Another odd thing, is that while I have been working on said project for two months, I have very little to show for it. A handful of family photos filed away in a folder on my desktop, a slew of my favourite quotations highlighted, their pages dog-eared in all my most cherished books, and a scribbled walk down memory lane on paper. But that's it. And I feel ok about that. It is my story after all, and no one knows it better than me. No script required.
I have been contracted to do a talk about overcoming trauma. Because that is what I have done; or, am doing every single day. Does my past make me an expert in this area? Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is for sure -- I have no qualms talking about any of it.
To say that I am over all the heart-breaking, soul-crushing events that have transpired in the last three years is a stretch, however. To say that I have learned how to accept them, love them, and own them, is fact.
This project is so very welcomed. You see, I want to tell my story. Just this week I had a conversation with a woman I have known very casually for all of a month about just this. We concluded that my being so open about my experiences is what drew us together. That we found kinship in our secrets, made public. Thirty days into our relationship and she knows all about my eating disorder, that I was a "cutter", that I once had a fiancé, and that my nephew had a brain tumour.
She is fully aware of my need to talk about the fact that my father is gone, because each and every time I say it out loud, another layer of shock that has been shielding my 20/20 vision begins to fade. She knows that I was once bankrupt, and that I used to drink myself into unconsciousness as a teenager. This new friend and I were able to connect through our truths. And know that we are not alone.
Why do I choose to share all of this? Because it is all ok. It is ok that I have a history. It is ok that I have let people down, I have embarrassed my family, made a poor example, and pissed people off. It is all ok. It is the truth, and it is real. And all of it makes me who I am.
I would not be here, writing this, preparing for this lecture, had it not been for all the chaos. Had I not screwed up, thrown up, and finally grown up, I would not be able to share my journey and with that, hopefully inspire some acceptance in other peoples' hearts. And the acceptance I am talking about is that of the self. We all need to accept and love ourselves as we are, now. Full stop.
It is high time that we all ditch the guilt, toss aside the shame, and just be. Our innate desire as humans is simply to be loved, and we can give that to ourselves. We can BE love. Because we are all ok. And love is always the answer.]]>RECIPE: a Vegan Macaroon Inspired by Costa Ricatag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.31095912013-04-18T17:00:00-04:002013-04-18T17:47:20-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
I love me a good macaroon. And I love me some rich raw desserts. But as I write this post, I am finding it difficult to simply write about the recipes that follow. You see, this week marks the hugest milestone thus far when it comes to my adventures in culinary creative arts and yoga.
Yes, this week marks my official transition from unfulfilled television director with loads of emotional baggage, into full time yogi & raw food retreat facilitator carrying her life in her baggage...as I settle into my new home in Costa Rica.
Say what? Yes indeed, the dream I first dreamed in March of 2010 has come into fruition, and all the work I have put in over the course of the last year-and-a-half has brought me the opportunity of a lifetime -- the universe has granted my wish. I have just accepted a position down south and this coming fall will be ditching my apartment, furniture, and life as it exists in Toronto today, to embark on a new and exciting journey in the jungle.
Thinking back to just three years ago when I was in my darkest place, hitting my proverbial rock bottom, I could never have imagined where I'd be today. It was such a place of grief, self-pity and lack, and I definitely had more than just a little bit of trouble keeping the faith. But I did, and I have, and here we are today. It is just astounding what can happen when you simply soldier on.
Today I am filled with an overwhelming feeling of abundance and grace, reeling over the absolute craziness of this life. I am going to celebrate this feeling of plenty (plant-y?) by making a batch of each of the following; two of my absolute fave raw vegan snacks. And when I am done, I will share them, and my gratitude, with all those whom I love.
Chocolate Macaroons Adapted from Cyrstal Bruneau's recipe, owner of Hacienda Del Sol, a beautiful rustic retreat centre located on the remote Guanacaste Peninsula of Costa Rica, and my new soon-to-be workplace.
3 C of shredded coconut
1 C of raw cacao
1 t lucuma powder
1 t sea salt
1.5 T of maca root powder
3/4 C of raw honey
1/4 C of coconut oil
In large bowl mix all ingredients with a spatula. Create "igloo" shape using an ice cream scoop or rounded tablespoon. Dehydrate until desired texture is reached, anywhere from five to 14 hours!
White Magic Macaroons
3 C shredded coconut
¼ C coconut oil
½ C brown rice syrup (not raw but I like the chewiness it gives. Sub agave if you want)
1 t lucuma powder
Mix. Shape. Dehydrate.
*Oven option: set oven on lowest heat setting, line baking sheet with parchment and spread macaroons evenly. "Bake" for an hour, with the oven door propped open (I used the thin end of my rolling pin to hold the door slightly ajar).
]]>Nothing in Life is Permanent, So Let it Gotag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.30344082013-04-08T12:33:21-04:002013-04-08T12:09:50-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
Last August I was again reminded about the impermanence of things. Of life, of ideas, of the present. As the two year anniversary of my father's passing approaches, I find myself reminiscing about him to be sure, but also about my grandmother, his mum, and thinking about her passing this past summer.
We all have those certain reference points in our lives that are constant -- unchanging, solid. People, places and things that we assume will be with us for always, comforts in our minds, safe places in our memories, infinite signs of our foundation and roots.
For me, some of those things consisted of the farm I grew up on, my faith in God, my love of peanut butter, the seasons, my scars, the clouds in the sky, sarcasm. My family.
Well, the house I grew up in has long been sold, my faith in the Catholic religion long questioned, but the rest remain firm -- mostly.
I think it is pretty safe to say that taking for granted our families just may be the common thread sewn throughout all of humanity. At some point in our lives, I think we all function on the assumption that even if left unattended, our brood will be there when we need them, ready to welcome with open arms, our absent selves. We may nurture our outside-of-the-family affiliations with more attention, knowing that our house is firmly in place and in wait. I fully admit that my relations with my close and immediate nuclear clan has been less than stellar at times. And I have beaten myself up for it time and time again ever since my father's passing in May 2011.
In a recent conversation, I explained to a colleague about my family's history -- that I had never met my Grandpa Alec Pearson, as he died young of a heart attack before my birth. The Pearson clan also lost a member in the 1990s, when my Uncle Jim was killed in a car accident on his way to teach at a University in Montreal. Even after all this, I still have this unfounded sense that family will always be there.
Growing up, I remember royal blue carpets, root beer floats, potato chips, and golden yellow Imperial Margarine. I recall carpet burns from too much playing in the upstairs hallway, The NeverEnding Story on video cassette, and Jell-O salad. I remember $20 bills at Christmas and birthdays, too-soggy Kraft Dinner, and shopping trips to Masonville Mall in London Ontario. That was childhood according to me and my visits with Grandma. Simple. Delicious. Real. And now she is gone, too.
Growing up I didn't see my extended family much more than two or three times a year. But when I did, we were all there, all accounted for, all present. But things change. And we have loss. And the present is all that is guaranteed.
Edna Pearson, the matriarch of the Pearson clan made it to 94 years of age. Her mother, my Great Grandma McWilliam lived longer than a century. I had always assumed that it was in our blood line to live forever. So imagine my shock when my dear dad became so ill at 62 and never made it to 64. And now, as I grapple with the fact that my Grams has also met her time, it still manages to shake me to my core. It is my roots, my history, my genes that are disappearing. Who is next? Any one of us. And that is why we all must LIVE. For today.
I recognize the impermanence of everything. The good and the bad. I realize that we must appreciate, love, accept and acknowledge all that we have in the moment, as that is really all we ever have. I now live with a satisfied sense of detachment, knowing the inevitable end to every story. But I do so with much more aware lovingness, much more acute knowing, and a lot more choice as to where I put my energies. After all, nothing is forever, but great memories do come pretty darn close.]]>5 Recipes To Reboot Your Body For Springtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.30255022013-04-05T22:08:04-04:002013-04-07T23:10:34-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
Spring is the ultimate re-boot season. Now is the time to take stock, check in with our bodies, minds, and spirits and begin to set out on a new trajectory. Now is the time to embrace all of nature's bounty as green life emerges from the soil, sweet berries bless our gardens, and farmer's markets the province over, are dusting off their stalls in preparation for the busy summer ahead.
So today I want to offer up a selection of my fave spring inspired recipes from the past year. Here, my top 5 for a fab, fresh, food fill NOW:
Want more? I got tons more -- why not come see me teach a half dozen RAW recipes in person on April 14th? Info HERE.
BLOG CONTINUES AFTER SLIDESHOW ]]>RECIPE: Why Your Steamed Veggies Need a Tahini Toppertag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.29817522013-03-29T18:41:28-04:002013-03-29T20:52:32-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
Throughout the winter, I find myself routinely resorting to roasted root veggies as a main component to many of my meals. I suppose I like the comfort and grounding that both the cooking technique and tubers provide, and the richness they evoke when caramelized at high heat. Come spring, I find it tough to let go of my faves like sweet potato and turnip, because to me, they pair so well with early harvest treats asparagus and peas. So how do I re-work my mainstays to suit the change of season?
Less dry heat, more steam, baby. Lighter fare. During the delightful days of denim jackets, daffodils, and the dance of first robins in search of worms, nothing beats a big plate of steamed veggies, dressed with a simple sauce. And that sauce ought to incorporate the freshness of herbs, the brightness of lemon, and a touch of silk via some healthy fat. Crowning glory? A generous sprinkle of nuts and seeds. This:
Tahini Dressing
3/4 C tahini (sesame seed butter)
3 T fresh lemon juice
2 T chopped fresh cilantro
1 T chopped fresh parsley
1 t cumin
1 large or 2 small cloves garlic
Sea salt to taste
Warm water as needed
Combine all ingredients in small blender or food processor until well combined. Begin drizzling in water with processor running until desired consistency is reached. Serve with veggies, top with nuts.
]]>RECPIE: Stick It To the Weather And Try This Sweet Green Taste of Springtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.29435972013-03-25T12:12:13-04:002013-05-25T05:12:01-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
Think you want to learn more tricks of the raw food trade and learn more recipes like this great green one? Come check out my MAP Wellness "Intro to Raw" recipe workshop on April 14th!
This past week marked the beginning of spring, although you wouldn't know it with the brisk temps and fluffy white stuff still falling. Regardless, I have chosen to start sporting my pre-summer attire, bright colours, bare legs, and soon open toes and all. And I also plan on beginning to venture deep into spring's culinary roots as well, celebrating all this time of year has to offer on the plate via new seasonally focussed recipes.
This week I wanted to prep some dips and sauces to help get me thorough another busy packed-lunch work week. I have quite a few legume based hummus recipes in my arsenal already, so I wanted to venture outside of the dried veg box and explore my options. And what's in season now (err, soon)? Peas! Sweet peas to be exact. This here hummus was great with roast sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli the night I made it, but it also makes a great fresh dip for crudité, or can be used as a spread on toast. The fresh taste of the peas really shines, so if you are not a fan of these guys...just add more garlic and enjoy the green goodness!
Oh, and let's all start doing our warm weather dance to the powers that be, pronto.
Sweet Pea Hummus
1/2 C frozen peas, defrosted
1 T fresh basil
4 leaves fresh mint
2 T tahini
2 T nutritional yeast
1 clove garlic
1 T extra virgin olive oil
Add all ingredients to a blender or small bowl food processor. Blend to desired consistency. Devour.
]]>Hot Yoga...on the Rockstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.29000962013-03-18T17:22:43-04:002013-05-18T05:12:01-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/Yoga on the Rocks, Yin-tini Neat, Hot todi (toddy/yogi; see what I did there?). I know, right? Lame. But the idea of colliding hot yoga with infrared hot stone technology is anything but. It is sweetly and sweating-ly sublime. (I even toyed with the title Say I-yes-i to Iyashi! but was promptly given the cease and desist order by a dinner date that eve). So to get you up to speed, Iyashi Bedrock Spa is Toronto's only source for an authentic Japanese Ganbanyoku rock-bathing experience, using ancient Black Silica stones.
That's me, post session, wet clothes removed.
I arrive for the 5 p.m. Ganban-Yoga session on a Saturday evening, looking forward to my 30 minute Rock Bath, followed by a 60 minute Hot Yin Yoga class, on the rocks. Located on Yonge street, just north of Eglinton, I am not bothered by the frigid 15 minute walk I must make to the spa from the subway, as my mind imagines the hot, humid heaven that will soon envelope me. I am greeted by a sweet and knowledgeable receptionist, and just as I finish filling out my waver form, spa owner Norma Percy arrives to give me the grand tour. A jolly and warm woman, Norma does not hesitate to bring me through the space, explaining not only the procedures to follow during my session, but also supplies ample background history of Iyashi, the theory behind the rocks, and why she and hubby chose to bring rock bathing to our great country back in 2008.
Originating in Thailand, ganbanyoku spas are hugely popular in Japan. Co-owner Ryusuke Juge, was inspired while returning to Japan in 2007 for martial arts training. Juge brought his vision back to Canada and convinced his best friend's wife (Percy) to spring into action.
After Percy has provided a thorough game plan for my visit, I am left to change, hydrate, and head into the treatment room. Inside the double doored chamber, I am greeted by a wall of humid heat, gorgeous wood panelling, and two rows of black granite-like tiled "beds." I am early for my appointment, and there is only one other soul in the room, a middle-aged man, who lays in savasana (a relaxed supine position) in the far back corner. I shuffle across the floor in my disposable flip flops, selecting bed #15 and lay one of my two provided towels out atop the black silica stones. I fold my second swath of terry cloth into a pillow shape and rest it at the top of the station. I lower my body onto the stone and immediately feel at home. Man oh man, do I adore the heat.
So, why rock bathe? Well, there is the sauna factor of course. But more specifically, these magma stones are unique in that they naturally release far infrared rays and negative ions to help the body perspire and "detoxify." It is believed that ganbanyoku helps improve blood circulation, increases metabolism and also helps eliminate waste and toxins from the body. It is also aid that the negative ions, a type of antioxidant found in nature, are able to react with and breakdown any toxins present in the bloodstream, and increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy.
BLOG CONTINUES AFTER SLIDESHOW
I spend my initial 25 minutes chilling (wrong choice of words) in the room, alternating between lying on my back, tummy and side. As I do, the room slowly fills, with only one rock bed empty come the 5:25 p.m. announcement from our yoga instructor that it was time to take a cooling break in preparation for the 5:30 p.m. Yin class. I retreat from the hot room into the lounge area equipped with water cooler, showers, and plenty of comfy seating. As part of the rock bath experience, it is recommended that guests work in 15-20 minutes intervals of heat and cooling, and at this point I am questioning the theory as I have barely even broken a sweat! I discuss this fact with one spa "regular" who is quick to suggest that once we get into the asana work, my dry skin will soon be drenched.
And right she was. Not five minutes into the class, I am beaded from head to toe, my hands sliding around on my body as I try to retain form and stability in the series of long deep stretches that comprise our group yoga practice. As we worked our bodies in the heat, and my breath grew deeper and more relaxed, I noted that the room had no strong aroma. None of the icky fresh sweat stench I am used to in regular hot yoga studios, and I also noticed that the liquid coming from my own pores felt very fresh and clean.
It is a unique experience to go through all the motions I am used to whilst perched atop the silica stones, warmth radiating right through to my bones. I feel immensely calm, content, and bendy. We work for about 25 minutes before taking a break to refuel on water, and then once the 60 minute class draws to a close, we are invited to rest for a while longer if we wish, letting all the work resonate within our bodies. Eventually I emerge from the tropical cave once more, and as I do, I float on my feet, feeling notably more limber and light than I had previously, and I can't help but smile.
After resting in bliss in my sweaty clothes for a few minutes, I decide it is time to re-enter the real world. And at this point I am convinced. Hot rock bathing rocks! And with a minimum of one yoga class per day, and opening hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, I know that I can easily make this a part of my regular wellness routine. Heck I am already planning on renting out the space for a gals' night of fiery fun with my fellow yoga teacher pals, and know that it will be well received all 'round!
Whether the health claims have any scientific backing or not, I think that rock bathing can be a beneficial addition to plenty of folks' routines as we all try to navigate our own wellness paths and journey's. If anything, I think we should all recognize that what we do deserve is taking some time for ourselves, to be still, to be spoiled, and to by warmed up and loved from the inside out.]]>RECIPE: Pre-Cinco de Mayo Mole Sauce Madnesstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.28906712013-03-18T08:44:14-04:002013-05-18T05:12:01-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
Mole was one of the recipes I featured on Global's The Morning Show, as seen here, along side some of my favourite chocolate products. See me demo this chocolate recipe & more at my May 12 "Choco-Raw" food workshop! Register HERE.
Cinco de Mayo is still a ways off, but I like to celebrate the culinary brilliance of Mexico weekly. One recipe that gets a tonne of play around my dining room table is mole sauce. Not only is this versatile topping the ideal companion to any fave protein (traditionally chicken, although I like it smothered on top of grilled tempeh and organic tofu), but it is also a superb side to any burrito, tortilla, quesadilla, or collard wrap. Heck, I have even mixed it up in a bowl with black beans, rice, cilantro and avocado to make a meal!
Mole Sauce
• 1/2 C cherry tomatoes
• 2 Tolive oil
• 2 T tahini
• 1 T pepitas
• 2 Tablespoon cacao powder
• 1 T fresh cilantro
• 1/2 t granulated garlic
• 1 Tablespoon agave
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon chile powder
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• Juice of ½ lime
• 2 Tablespoon filtered water
Place all into blender. Blend. Devour.
]]>RECIPE: Sexy Chocolate Sauce for Twotag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.28329362013-03-08T12:19:09-05:002013-05-08T05:12:01-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
Sexy & Silky Raw Vegan Chocolate Sauce
Did you catch my segment on Global's The Morning Show on Valentine's day? We were talking chocolate. The drug of the amorous, common place Valentine's surprise, and oft considered sinful snack fave by many. My love. In my world however, it is for any time. That is why I am sharing this super simple, super luscious recipe now. Perfect for creating chocolate covered figs, strawberries dipped in silky cacao creaminess, or eaten off a spoon. Any way you slice it, this is damn good, at any time. Make it, love it, share it (or not). CAUTION: consumption could constitute foreplay.
3/4 C agave syrup
3/4 C raw cacao powder
2 t vanilla
3/4 C coconut oil, warmed just enough to liquefy
Blend cacao, vanilla & agave in Blentec or other high powered blender.
Slowly drizzle in oil as the blender is running on LOW.
Slowly add in warm water until desired thickness is reached.
Store at room temperature.
Yearning for more chocolate recipe lovin'? Sign up for my MAP Wellness"Sexy Choco-Raw" culinary workshop on May 12th & learn plenty more chocolately dishes including my Chocolate Chia Pudding, Peanut Butter Balls, & Raw Mole Sauce!]]>Learning to Dance While Everyone Is Watchingtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.28037912013-03-04T08:48:02-05:002013-05-04T05:12:01-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
Who says you should aim to dance like no one is watching? Isn't it more freeing to do it wholeheartedly when everyone IS watching?
I've just returned home from a week in the Costa Rican outback. Last June, I signed up for a nutrition and yoga focused vacation with Meghan Telpner (nutritionista, cooking academy founder, & author). It had been a long time coming, and a much needed escape from the Toronto cold (I hear we missed out on a week of slushy, snowy yuck to boot!). I lead a full life, chock-a-block full of activity, work, events, and social engagements, all of which require me to be (happily) "on" all the time. As this week away approached, I reveled in the luxury of solo travel, knowing that I could choose my own adventure while away; whether to engage in conversation, or not; join the group excursions, or not; be abundantly active, or not.
Five hours in the air and myself and three other Ontarian gals landed on Pura Vida soil (there were 28 of us total on the trip, arriving on our own time). Once through the departure gate, my heart skipped a beat when I saw Dino, our middle aged taxi driver, missing a few teeth, but beaming ear to ear, holding out a sign that read "Hacienda Del Sol." Dino and his hand-written welcome was inviting us to join him en route to the rustic sweet spot that we would call home for the next seven days.
We all piled into the SUV, and headed into the night; met by darker than dark roads, sightings of locals playing old arcade games streetside, traffic stopping loose cattle, and potholes larger than that sinkhole on Finch Avenue last year, I swear. At one point, our little truck that could barreled through a river, not skipping a beat, as we found ourselves travelling deeper and deeper into...nowhere. And two and half hours later, where we ended up was right in the middle of it. Perfection.
Now Hacienda is no posh spa in the woods, but rather a royally rustic rural camp in the jungle, complete with palm roof cabanas, outdoor showers, and you betcha, a lineup of al fresco colonic rooms. You see, this retreat centre focuses on cleansing; much of the clientele heads here for full-on detox juice cleanses, enemas included. Thankfully our holiday hosted a full menu of sublime vegetarian fare, plus daily yoga provided my Toronto local Amber Joliat of Misfits studio fame, as well as daily nutrition workshops by none other than Meghan T herself, as well as her recently ringed hubby Josh Gitalis. We talked detox, UnDieting, and goal setting, all a part of the theme for the week, living a life of greatness.
So I enjoyed. Seven days of 8 a.m. yoga, 10 a.m. brunch, 11 a.m. food talks, and then free time galore. Hours spent hammock swaying in the sunlight, hiking to the nearby beaches (20 minutes each way for one, 40 minutes for the other, all uphill I swear), chilling in the Buddha hall with my personal yoga practice, clay baths, and massages.
The evening we arrived, I swore to spend two days in silence, and make it to the ocean each day for sunrise. Instead, I slept no less than 10 hours a night, howler monkey scream fests and all, and managed to channel the zen-est me I could muster. And, with the fascinating, incredibly inspiring group that Meghan assembled for this trip, it was near impossible for me not to want to talk and talk to each and every one of the ladies (and two gents) that accompanied me in each asana, at each meal, and heck, even in the shower.
But although I didn't adhere to my original regime, I did, for the first time in months, experience a complete separation from all the tension usually housed in my trapezius, and truly let myself disconnect. I spoke far fewer words each day, and spent much time reflecting, reading, and simply breathing.
And then on the final eve of our week together, after a delightfully satisfying dinner prepared by Hacienda co-owner Crystal Bruneau, we all gathered for a delicious slideshow presentation of the week's happenings created my our hosts. Following the viewing, we had a sing along. Summer camp style. Following that? A dance party. Yes, 25 adult women, and three men, gathered together in the outdoor yoga space in the dark of night, dancing. We danced to everything from vintage Madonna and Lauren Hill, to Nancy Sinatra and Florence and the Machine. And then I let go.
I am not even sure how it all happened really, or even what song was playing. But I was inspired. All that week, I had spent time explaining that as a yoga teacher I plan to use my athletic styling, and strength to mold my classes, as flow-y dance-inspired vinyasa is just not my expertise. You know, white girl can't dance. But that night in CR, I danced. A tribal rhythm, full body interpretive go-go dance that lead to my mala beads escaping from around my neck and flying across the floor during one crazed body pulsation. And I did it all inside the middle of a circle, surrounded by strangers, without inhibition, thought, or worry. All eyes on me. And I, so incredibly comfortable in my skin, let it all go. Full release. Full bliss. Full throttle.
The following morning I had a number of people comment on my "outburst." There appeared to be an overwhelming appreciation for what they saw, my "release" seemed to have a positive effect. Most mentioned to me that they were shocked to see quiet, balanced me, act out in such a creative way. Ha. Quiet. Me. Who knew? Either way, I discovered this past week that I can be anything I want to be, and do anything I want to do, and I don't have to have any fear. Only love. And that is what I learned after dancing when everyone was watching.
Thank you Hacienda. Thank you Costa Rica. Thank you spirit.]]>RECIPE: Simple Chia Pudding That's Simply Divinetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.27498702013-02-24T08:56:00-05:002013-04-26T05:12:01-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
Simplicity in the divine. That has been a theme in my life as of late, during this most recent period of change. I have found some great successes in all areas of my being without much complicated calculation. Life, in a word, has been kept quite "simple."
Now, simple is not the same as boring. Oh no. In this particular use of the word, simple simply means without confusion, without over-stimulation, and moving with ease.
And I think I can use the same definition to describe my next recipe. It's low maintenance, quick to assemble, and pretty hands off. Oh, and did I mention it tastes divine?
Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding
3/4 C Almond Milk
1/2 C Coconut Milk
2 1/2 T Raw Cacao
2 t Vanilla
1 t Cinnamon
4 T Chia
Liquid Stevia, coconut nectar, or maple syrup to taste
Shredded coconut
1 Banana sliced
Place all ingredients except chia, banana and shredded coconut in the blender. Blend until incorporated.
Pour mixture into a bowl and add in the chia seeds. Stir well so that all the seeds are moist and fully incorporated. Leave sit for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
To serve: scoop out single servings & top with banana slices & coconut.
Interested in learning more yummy chocolate recipes? Register now for my upcoming MAP Wellness"Sexy ChocoRaw" food workshop!]]>Learning to Live With Gracetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.27057652013-02-18T08:06:39-05:002013-04-20T05:12:01-04:00Meghan Pearsonhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-pearson/
I often get asked about the meaning of my various tattoos. Just this week, one of my yoga teachers pointed out that the marking on my neck is one of his favourite words. Mine too.
The last time I saw my father alive and alert was on April 23, 2011. My family had gathered at my sister's place for Easter brunch, and I arrived with wine in hand, and fear in my heart. At that point, I can admit that I was not visiting my parents as often as I should have been. Dad's ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease) was progressing quite rapidly, and I was in a massive state of denial. In my mind we would have him for at least another year. My work schedule was going to allow me to spend the two months leading up to the following Christmas living at home, getting in some real quality time. As much as I had convinced myself that dad was not going to leave us anytime soon, I was also completely terrified. Each time I visited, it was such a shock to see how much his appearance and demeanor had changed since the last time, how much weight he had lost, how much more distant and worried that look in his eyes was becoming.
Yes indeed, Easter 2011 was a reality check. I was totally floored while watching my pops, his usually strong and athletic legs, now so skinny, push his walker around the house, a goofy smile on his unknowing face. It was after only about three hours, that I decided I needed to get out of there. I was panicking. So I hopped on a bus back to the city.
I left, and felt terrible. My family was upset. I knew I should have been spending as much time as possible with dad, as that time was so, so precious. But it was only once I left that I finally began to really know. And knowing was the scariest part. It was one of the hardest days I ever had in dealing with dad's diagnosis...
The definition of the word "grace" is as follows:
1. Elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
2. A pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.
3. Favour or good will.
4. Mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace
5. The influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
I like the last two. However, if we were to refer to definition number one, on that day, I did not act with much grace at all. No, I acted in quite the opposite, stumbling away from the challenge that was my family's reality, running from my fear, and then allowing the guilt to torment me wholly. And I couldn't go on like that anymore, I needed change.
It was on the bus ride back into the city, in between tears, that I decided what my newest tattoo was to be. I committed to living a deeper, more intensely graceful life, one filled with love, personal growth, and honest forgiveness. I have, in my time here on earth, experienced some real mercy from the universe, and it was the strength of spirit that allowed me to survive my darkest of days. So to sum up my new motto for living, the very next day I made it permanent with that one simple word. Close to my mind, close to my heart, and close to my soul. No more excuses, right?
Two weeks later, I left the province on a cross-Canada tour with the TV show that I was working with at the time. I was gone for almost four weeks, arriving back in Ontario that same week dad was admitted to hospital with the bought of pneumonia that would eventually take his life. As circumstances mercifully allowed, I was able to make the trip to home and be by dad's bedside until the end. I was blessed to be able to say my goodbyes in person, even if he wasn't awake to hear me. He did manage to open his eyes and see all of his girls surrounding him with love just as he took his last few breaths, and then he was gone. Mom says she is pretty sure he waiting for me to arrive before he let go.
Thank God I made it to the hospital. And thank God I was there for Easter brunch.
