Lunch in Paris - Love story with recipes by Elizabeth Bard

Majority of my blog posts from 2013 – 2015 are about meditation and personal growth work. These days, my morning routine consists of 10 – 15 min of working out on a small size trampoline (the exercises are the same as my Chinese meditation teacher had taught, although because of my teenage car accident injury I now need to be more careful with my hips so I’m using a bouncy and soft surface to jump around on), and 10 – 15 min meditation. Today’s post is about a different type of ’’meditation’’, it is my reflection on the book I’ve recently read on my daily train journeys. Since I’ve moved to zone 6 in London almost two years ago, I read books daily as my commute companions so I will post my comments about them probably pretty often.

Now if anyone finds this post but is looking for meditation support please start reading this blog from the beginning, or if you need more instructions do let me know if the comments below.

Lunch in Paris

If you’ve read any of my previous posts you know I have an affection towards French language and culture. There is something in this flirty language that immediately makes me smile although that might have also been a result of being very susceptive to the marketing of anything French as exciting and super sexy. These days, I try to read books that expand my mind from authors like Yuval Harari or Yanis Varoufakis, but for a change and brain relaxation I found the ’’Lunch in Paris – Love story with recipes’’ from Elizabeth Bard in my ’’bought but not yet opened’’ books boxes. There are a few boxes I'm afraid, my appetite for reading exceeds my reading speed for quite a bit.

I thought the book will be easy, cheesy, flirty, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The American author Elizabeth Bard has shared quite intimately about how she actually really felt once she moved to Paris, to her gorgeous French lover (I googled and found his pic on the net - can't help my nosiness), but with no work visa for at least the first year and no previous friends. She loved to lose herself on the market and shops of her local neighbourhood and she obviously has a big passion for cooking (recipes look very yummy, I haven't tried them as my partner mostly cooks these days, but if I was into cooking I would :). First year she spent most days alone (he was full time employed), so she had time to think about her life, and about what makes her really happy and fulfilled. This search gave the book the depth I haven't expected and it made it an even more enjoyable read. 

Recommended to anyone who wants to lose herself a bit on the streets of Parisian markets, loves cooking and romance.  

    

Meditation with Psychiatry masters students

I've been meaning to write my blog posts again for a while, but the pressure of almost 2 year gap was sitting on my shoulders. Today we had a really sweet and fulfilling meditation session with masters's students from our psychiatry department so carrying this energy I can't resist not to share it.

My meditation practise now beside morning meditation consists of leading staff meditation twice weekly at an Institute of Preventive Medicine I work for, shivasanas after weekly yoga classes, and meditation with my partner before bed, or sometimes during the weekend. 

I've shared about my beginnings with the students and how meditations helped me not just with pre-exams stress, but with relationship stress which is what stressed me out the most in those days. Students nodded their heads and smiled agreeing relationship troubles are a source of big stress. I'm still working on my book describing everything I learnt in meditation schools that helped me go through the times of troubles so I can now have a beautiful, balanced and supportive relationship. 

Will write more about everything I've learnt in the past two years in the further posts. 

Take care

Tara Stiles in London next weekend

Tara Stiles

Tara is coming to London next weekend to BeFit women's fitness event. I've started to stretch and centre in the morning with her short videos again. Her voice is very melodic and creates a pleasant flow: Tara's Inspiration Flow perfect to be completed with 10 min mindfulness meditation after.

Looking forward to see her pretty face live :)

My first meditation teacher Veronica from Planet Ease

My first meditation teacher was a feisty short haired lady called Veronica. She would start her sessions religiously at 5am and explain the early hour as the best time to recharge. Writing about my time in her school made me check-in to see what she is doing now. I know she lives in Arizona and has an energy centre there. Planet Ease is the name of her place and the link also tells you more about her and her quest for spreading inner peace. 

Staring...

Staring at the empty page. Can I do that? Can I start writing from scratch for the 3rd time? I finished the structure, it looks good. But I know what kind of commitment is that. It might take me again a year to complete. Although maybe I am now better prepared and it will be done faster. I'm helping to ease my anxiety by listening to instrumental relaxation music. And thinking of my ancestors that fought German soldiers in resistance movement in Slovenia during second world war. Living in the woods. Every day could have been your last. Your brother was shot dead. Your friends were shot dead. But you kept on going. Freedom fighters. Crazy believers into brotherhood among people living on this planet. People living united, in peace with one another. I can write it for them. I have to write it. Inner peace for all!

Third attempt

Haven't finished working on the book structure yesterday despite beautiful encouragement by Lao Tzu. Keep eating madeleines and danish cookies, until my stomach is full enough to roll into bed. Third attempt at completion tonight.

Horta and chickpea soup at The Greek Larder, London

The Greek Larder, Kings Cross, London

I've explained to my dear Greek neighbor Evi what I am going to do regarding my writing progress. She will be checking on me as well.We had some delicious greek food: horta - type of greek leafy vegetable with feta and chickpea soup for me. Very happy. Evi - filo pasty, same as her mum makes for Sunday lunch.Today I came across what Lao Tzu says when someone complains she is tired and can't pursue her mission:  As you consider the many excuses that are dominating your life, look carefully at them—you’ll see that they’re all focused on the ego: I can’t do this. I’m too busy or too scared. I’m unworthy. I’m too tired. Now imagine shifting your attention off of yourself and asking the universal mind: How may I serve? When you do so, the message you’re sending is: I’m not thinking about myself and what I can or can’t have. Your attention is on making someone else feel better.

Going to finish my structure now.