Things were not as peaceful or as mindful as I would have hoped. Home life was crazy; work was crazier. And sometimes I am my own worst enemy, making things more difficult than they need to be by getting in my own way. I plan to go for a walk but I haven’t taken the time to get out my winter boots and hat, so before I can go anywhere I have to dig through boxes in the basement and through baskets in the hall closet. By the time I was ready to leave I was frustrated and about ready to quit. I get up early to do some yoga, but struggle to get the Apple TV going because I never commit the dreaded remote-control routine to memory. I pack breakfast and lunch to take to the office but race through work at such a frantic pace that I forget to stop for breakfast at all.

This past week I definitely feel like I had a few take-aways:

• Spend more time prepping things so taking a walk, doing yoga, sitting down to meditation, packing lunch does not become an ordeal.
• Get to bed earlier so I’m not tempted to hit the snooze button when I should be getting up to pray or exercise or sit in silence.
• Continue with my new routine of listening to some select books on CD as I drive to and from work. It’s definitely making a difference and giving me an extra dose of daily peace along with a good kick in the spiritual pants.
• Accept that my life is simply going to be chaotic much of the time. With three busy kids, a very busy job, freelance writing, lots of chores around the house, the reality is that my daily life is often going to be noisy and not-so-mindful, and that’s okay. The goal is not to make my life silent so I can be mindful but to make myself mindful so I can maneuver my way through the daily minefield. It’s all in my perspective. The journal writing, spiritual reading, and silent time is helping me remember that.

Now we begin week two, Chapter 2 of Cravings: Dieting Delusion: Food Is Not the Enemy. As we move through this chapter, stop to think about the diets you’ve tried over the course of your lifetime. I’m sitting here shaking my head as I write this just thinking about some of the crazy plans I’ve tried over the years. In the end, none of them really worked. Why? Because those were just temporary patches, surface changes not meant to last, and everything hinged on the almighty scale. Sometimes it still does. Which is why I’m here, and maybe why you’re here.

From Chapter 2:

Even today, the control myth can take hold of me. I can feel totally confident and positive about myself and my life if my clothes fit a little bit loose and the scale shows me the right number. A few pounds in the wrong direction an my mood, my day, my life can take on the aura of unhappiness and dissatisfaction, not only with my looks but with just about everything. And that’s the crux of what we’re dealing with here. Whether we have to lose a hundred pounds or ten pounds, our self-worth should not — cannot — hang on a number or a diet plan. It has to be rooted in something deeper, something true, if we can ever hope to put a stop to these endless efforts to mold ourselves into someone else’s image of beauty or health or perfection. The first step toward that freedom is the acknowledgment, in the words of Alcoholics Anonymous, that only “a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

This week, as you keep your journal and take note of your moods and foods, start paying more attention to your beliefs about yourself. What is the tape that plays on endless loop in your head? Does your self-worth teeter from one extreme to another based on superficial changes or events? What are your triggers? Can you push pause when you feel things starting to head in the wrong direction?  Try to pull yourself back from the brink. Breathe, say a quick prayer, grab your journal, go for a walk, do something to shift the playing field and try a different approach. After all, the old ways haven’t been working, right?

If you have a minute, check in and let me know how you’re doing here in the comment section. If you have questions, feel free to ask them. If you don’t have Cravings and you need more information, tell me that as well. And if you just have a story to share, please do so.

And, now, here’s your musical inspiration for the week. I wanna see you be BRAVE!

The post Cravings Reboot: getting beyond the dieting delusion appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Thank you to everyone — in the comment section on this blog, on my Facebook page, and in my email inbox — who have said YES! to the #CravingsTribe. We are on our way.

When I put this out there, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought maybe one or two of you might decide to tag along for the ride, but what I’m hearing is that there are lot of you out there who feel as I do: We need a tribe, a community of people who want to journey together through Cravings and beyond. Now that I know you’re game, I’ll be putting together a plan. When in doubt, check this blog/website for information. (The Cravings tab at the top will always have the most recent information on this topic, if you don’t see it on the home page.) If I’m going to do anything on Facebook, I’ll try to post here as well for those who don’t do social media. And, if I decide to do a weekly or bi-weekly newsletter, I’ll check in with all of you to see if you want to share your email addres (in private) so I can send the newsletter directly to your inbox.

I talked about this new endeavor on the Morning Air Show on Relevant Radio earlier today. If you missed it, you can listen to that brief conversation at the link below. I’m first up after a short intro. Share your thoughts in the comment section, if you’d like. The goal is to eventually have a group that can share with each other, pray for and with each other, and accompany each other for months, maybe years, to come. I can’t wait to get started. Thank you for trusting me enough to join me on this journey. Peace and blessings.

Here’s the radio show link. Just hit the play button:

The post Revolution 2017 is coming! Join the #CravingsTribe Become a #SoulSurvivor appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Here’s what some others have said about it in their Amazon reviews:

“A few months ago, I spied a book I knew I just had to read. Cravings: A Catholic Wrestles with Food, Self-image and God by Mary DeTurris Poust. The word WRESTLES leaped from the cover and spoke to my heart. Yes, wrestle, struggle, and sometimes even get pinned. For years, I have been held to the mat by my cravings, and more specifically the emotions that were tied so closely to them. I requested the the book from  Ave Maria Press (*review of books received from publishers always welcomed never expected and never influenced). After I finished the introduction, I decided to blog my journey, when I reached chapter 3, and read that I should be consider keeping a journal, I know I was on the right track with Cravings! More importantly, I knew I was on the right path to finding a new peace and place with food, my own self-image and yes, even God.

“It has not been the a fast tracked trip to weight loss that I had hoped, maybe that is because Cravings IS not a book about losing weight or even gaining weight, it is about shifting our thoughts from mindless to mindful consumption of food. I CANNOT recommend this book enough- TRULY LIFE changing!”
_______________

“Cravings will leave you satisfied.” This book addresses issues with food, low self-esteem, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Shows you ways to improve your life with food and God. Prayer, mindfulness, and meditation are essential for all of us as we walk this path.”

________________

“Outstanding journey as to why we crave food and what we are really looking for.”

________________

“A meditative and contemplative approach to eating. I enjoyed this book very much, especially the monastic elements and information. It inspires me to slow down and cook real food despite being a busy working mom.”

Here’s a helpful graphic to get you started while you wait for your copy of Cravings to arrive. You can print it out in copies of two or five to share with friends and family:

Cravings set of two bookmarks

Cravings set of five bookmarks

Happy New Year!

The post You are enough. No resolutions required. appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Keep in mind that this bread must be slathered in butter. Not butter substitute, but real, artery-clogging butter. Enjoy!

4 cups flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 cup seedless raisins (soak in hot water for a few minutes to soften, then drain)

1 Tbs. caraway seeds (optional)

1 1/3 cups buttermilk (more if it feels too dry, my measure is closer to 1 2/3 cups)

1/4 cup Crisco (I’ve experimented with other shortening but came back to this)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sift flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda into bowl.

Stir in raisins and caraway seeds, if using.

Add buttermilk and Crisco. Mix. Knead just enough to moisten dry ingredients. Shape into two mounds and place on a greased cookie sheet. Cut an X into the top of each loaf. Makes two loaves.

Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into wedges or slices to serve.

Hint: Do not try “adapting” this recipe to make it healthier or lighter. I have tried bread flour. I have tried whole wheat flour. Nothing comes close to the real deal.

Note: Yes, I realize the Irish Soda Bread diehards would scoff at this with its raisins and all. This is how we do it/did it in my house.

The post Irene’s Irish Soda Bread appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

When I wrote my book Cravings: A Catholic Wrestles with Food, Self-image, and God, I had a resolution revelation. Although I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions, I always seem to have some form of self-improvement in the works year-round. But as I began to focus less on how much food I ate and more on the way I ate my food and the way I saw myself, things began to change. The PowerPoint slideshow below is based on one of the food-faith talks I give at retreats and workshops. The actual workshop presentation is, of course, a more complete discussion of the topic, but the slideshow will give you the highlights and offer some food for thought — zero calories in this kind of food, so no worries! If you want to learn more, click the “Cravings” tag at the end of this post for other articles, reviews and other posts related to this topic, or buy the book, which has reflection questions, exercises, and meditations to help you put the ideas into practice and shift your focus from worrying about food to celebrating your life. Click HERE to get Cravings on Amazon. And now on to the slideshow. (Expand to full screen for best viewing.)

[slideonline id=25392]

The post What if a New Year’s resolution isn’t the answer? appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

The bar/restaurant is also known as a music venue. The bar side has quite a different feel from the restaurant side and apparently gets quite crowded on music nights. Both times we have visited on a Wednesday, when it’s fairly quiet, with just a few tables occupied inside and — because it was a lovely night — out front at the sidewalk tables. I prefer the inside tables no matter what the weather because I love the warm-toned brick interior with the mason-jar light fixtures and, on this particular night, fresh sunflowers on every table.

I went ahead and ordered the eggplant stack, as planned, with a half-order of the signature gnocchi. Dennis ordered the tuna special, which was served over homemade gnocchi with arugula and heirloom tomatoes. While we waited, I ordered a flight of wine and Dennis ordered a flight of craft beer. Our waiter was incredibly helpful in helping us pick out just the right selections from the very long craft beer list and the shorter but excellent wine list.

And then our food arrived. I took one bite of my fried + roasted eggplant stack and — cue angels singing — knew there was something different going on there. “I can’t believe it, but this is even better than the first time I had it,” I told Dennis. There were breadcrumbs involved this time, although I wasn’t quite sure how. We’re talking about layers and layers of seasonal vegetables, tomatoes, mozzarella, pesto. You can see it down there on the left, but the photo doesn’t do it justice. Just go order it. Today. This weekend. Soon.

To top it off, the signature gnocchi was so incredible, soft little pillows of dough tossed with truffle oil, brown butter, arugula, shitake mushrooms and shaved asiago. I have vowed to make the gnocchi dish my main meal the next time I visit. Which will be very soon. And let me just tell you that ordering both the eggplant and a half-order of gnocchi is gluttonous. I mean, you will see these plates coming out and wonder what army you’ll be feeding. I took home at least half of each dish. The gnocchi reheated perfectly for lunch yesterday, and the eggplant is on the menu at home today. Dennis’ tuna special was equally delicious, he said. The last time we were there he had the surf and turf burger, which he loved. So The Hollow is batting 1.000 in our book.

About halfway through our meal, chef Henry Ciccone (who was nominated in the “Rising Star Chef” category for the 5th Annual Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival, came out to talk to us and ask if we liked our meals. I told him the eggplant was even better than before and his face lit up. Panko. That was the secret. Some fresh panko from somewhere in the local region (I can’t remember where he said). He decided to give it a try in the eggplant and now was considering making the change permanent. Henry came out a second time to talk a little more. That’s when we found out his father works at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Ma., and that Henry had just been there on retreat. I am a big fan of Kripalu, having been there on retreat myself a couple of years ago. Cosmic connections. Always.

I’m heading back to The Hollow soon so I can give Henry a copy of my book Cravings, since Kripalu actually makes it into that book. And maybe to get a full order of his signature gnocchi.

Here’s a link to the menu so you can start dreaming about what you’ll order.

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And this week we had the added bonus of tulips, tulips and more tulips in Washington Park, which happens to be right across the street from the offices of the New York State Catholic Conference, where Dennis spends his days. We skipped the overcrowded Tulip Fest yesterday and instead opted for a trip to Cardona’s Italian Market for Mother’s Day lunch fixings, but Dennis and I celebrated our own small-scale version of Tulip Fest at lunch time today. Lots of photos this week, lots of photos…

On the menu: This past week has been chock full of good food. Earlier last week, Dennis and I hit up Mamoun’s Falafel on Washington Avenue just around the corner from Lark Street in Albany. Just a few blocks from Dennis’ office, this is a favorite lunch spot for us. Usually we’re the only ones in the place, although this week it was packed with three other customers.

The food here is absolutely fantastic, and you really can’t help tapping your feet to the Middle Eastern beat of the music. I only order one thing at Mamoun’s: Vegetarian Combo Platter. So, so, SO delicious. Falafel, stuffed grape leaves, hummus and warm pita bread, baba ganoush, olives. You can get a look at it over there on the right. Dennis opted for the lamb kabob and was equally satisfied. 

We decided not to stop at lunch out, and continued our new Wednesday night pub/restaurant crawl with a visit to Capital American Eatery and Lounge for a belated celebration of our 19th anniversary. Although we had planned to do the flight of beers, which received good reviews in the Times Union, we opted for wine instead that night. Great spot, really cool interior, although it was a little too quiet for us. I’m sure that’s not the case when shows are happening at nearby venues.

I opted for the fillet of sole stuffed with lump crab meat, and Dennis went for the sesame crusted tuna (over there on the right). Both were delicious. For appetizers we did steamers and pork dumplings. Also good, although the dumplings were a little too salty for my taste. I’ll try a different appetizer next time. This is a great family place. We plan to take the kids there some time soon because the prices are incredibly reasonable, and there are plenty of options for both meat eaters and vegetarians — and nitpickers.

Best part of our anniversary night was our post-dinner walk a few blocks and over the highway to the Hudson River. We sat on a rock and listened to a train whistle in the distance with a bright moon overhead and the city skyline behind us. Moonlight and romance can even make Albany look pretty good, as you can see in that very top photo.

Mother’s Day not only included the aforementioned fabulous lunch put together from Italian goodies purchased at Cardona’s, but also a delicious home-cooked meal prepared with love by Dennis. I sat out on my deck in the sunshine while he made a big pot of tomato sauce and a ridiculous amount of meatballs. Then he grilled sausage to throw in the sauce for good measure. And bread. And salad. And wine, of course. We ended the night with s’mores over the fire pit in the backyard with the kids, and, after they went to bed, a glass of Jack on the rocks. For a really special touch, we prayed Night Prayer around the fire pit before bed. Perfect day.

Okay, enough of the menu for the week. Phew. Moving on…

Bookshelf: Just about finished with Halfway to Each Other. What can I say? I’m out too often to read books. And that’s a good thing these days.

Viewfinder: As I said, Dennis and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and the tulip blooms and strolled through Washington Park today. Just beautiful. Here are a few of my favorite shots from our lunchtime outing. (As always, you can click on all photos except for the very top one to enlarge them and get a closer look.)

And my handsome lunch date down by the lake…

Then we crossed over the bridge below and went off in search of a pub for an afternoon treat. Not so easy on a Monday at lunch. We finally ended up at Shogun, where we grabbed a cold beverage, and then popped into Little Moon, the very cool Tibetan gift shop right down the street. I will be heading back there for some trinkets, for sure.

Okay, enough already! Yeah, it’s been a GREAT week here in Albany. Plenty more where that came from.

The post Manic Monday: A busy week in and around Albany appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

It was quiet when we arrived, which wasn’t surprising since it was mid-afternoon, well past lunch and way too early for happy hour. We sat at the bar, and our knowledgeable and friendly bartender Steve guided us through the extensive craft beer menu. Most of the beers are brewed in the region, with a few from some far-flung places, and the menu changes daily. On top of being really good, the beer is really cheap and every pint comes with a free personal pizza. Not kidding. Dennis and I weren’t planning on eating lunch, but how do you pass up free pizza? Best part is that you take your free pizza ticket directly to the kitchen and hand it to the cook. Then you go back later and pick up your own pizza. Very cool. The pizza was super thin and crisp — reminded me of pizza I’d had in Rome — and delicious. But I digress. Back to the beer.

I opted for a pint of Schenectady-brewed Mad Jack 2025 Hefeweizen, yummy wheat beer. Dennis went for the Deleware-brewed Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, one of the few made outside New York. I later opted for a half-pint of Chatham Brewing Maple Amber Ale because I couldn’t pass up beer made with local maple syrup. Delicious, and Steve the Bartender bought me that one on the house. What a deal. We plan to go back again and try the flight of beers — four five-ounce samples for $8. When I do that, I am definitely going to try one of the cappuccino stouts or some other super dark dessert beer.

Other highlights: Upstairs is a mechanical bull, which apparently draws quite a crowd on rodeo night. Monday night is vinyl night. You bring the records; they’ll spin ’em. There is also an extensive pub menu, and from what we could see as food went by, it looked delicious and plentiful. Outside is a huge patio, and downstairs in the basement is a speakeasy (separate entrance with a doorbell). Steve highly recommended the speakeasy, which he described as high-end “mixology” in a really intimate setting. It’s now on our local bucket list, and we have made a commitment recently to get to our list sooner rather than later. I’ll be back to tell you about that as soon as we make it happen.

So if you’re in Albany and want some great craft beers in an equally great setting, hit The City Beer Hall, 42 Howard Street. Maybe we’ll see you there.

The post A not-so-hidden gem in Albany: City Beer Hall appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Ingredients

1 Tbs plus 2 tsp EVOO

1 medium-large sweet potato, peeled and diced

1 large onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbs chili powder

4 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp ground chipotle chili

1/4 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups water

2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed

1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes

4 tsp fresh lime juice

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sweet potato and onion; cook, stirring often, until the onion begins to soften (about four minutes). Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, chipotle and salt; stir constantly for 30 seconds. Add water and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the sweet potato is tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add beans, tomatoes, and lime juice; increase heat to high and return to simmer until slightly reduced, about five minutes. (I lowered the heat at this point and left it on  a low simmer for a little bit longer so the flavors could marry.) Remove from heat and stir in cilantro. Serves four.

Cook’s note: I didn’t have chipotle powder the day I made this. I just threw in a few dashes of hot sauce and it was fine. Also, I like to top this with a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt and a little diced avocado. Another option is to serve it over yellow rice, which is a favorite at our house. Click HERE for a yellow rice recipe by Mark Bittman. His calls for saffron threads. I didn’t have any, so I substituted turmeric (and made a few other personalizations) and it came out great.

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