The Ocean and Jicama

I have two new obsessions, the ocean and an unusual vegetable, jicama. Weird combination you say? Not as weird as a Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. I have a weird obsession with combo fast food places, I think it is so weird. There is cross contamination, it just isn't right. It's not natural!

Well, if you don't live near an ocean, (you should!) then you can try a tasty jicama. Jicama is a root vegetable that looks like a turnip, the texture of a less juicy (didn't want to say dry) apple with a semi sweet flavor. You can enjoy this treat plain or you can add some slices of avocado, lime juice and salsa to taste. I also like that this vegetable is also known as a "Yam bean", what a silly name. The Yam Bean/?Jicama only has about 50 calories for a cup and 6 grams of fiber! I am pretty much telling you about one of the healthiest things you can snack on. If the Jicama doesn't tickle your fancy, maybe the pictures of the ocean will. Oh yes, that is a little dolphin friend jumping up to say hello.

"Catch it with your Face!"

Adult Kickball. I had the pleasure of being part of a kickball team in Kansas City for three years, I loved getting out on the field every Thursday night. Of course a few adult beverages were consumed during this recreational sport, but besides the drinks, the friends that you made while playing this childhood activity was the main reason I came out to play. Knowing I needed to have a outlet to make new friends I have joined a kickball team in California. A different night to play and over 1,500 miles across the country but still the same fun. Although my KC teammates can never be replaced, you see similarities in each league. Same Terminology: "Catch it with your Face". This is a catch in which some part of your head is the primary reason that you made the epic save. I honestly thought that my team in Kansas City originated this saying.

Same Players: "Super Competitive" Guy, "Falls Down/Dirty" Guy, "Sassy Loud" Lady, "Crowds the Plate" Girl and "AARP" Guy (always one really old guy, who is surprisingly athletic despite age).

Same Same Types of Teams: "Fist Pumping" Team, the men wear baby shirts, the ladies cut up their shirts in "sexy DIY" fashions. *May find them air humping in outfield. "Jorts" Team, They all wear jean shorts and you almost see one of their teammates manhood as he slides into home.

Kickball is a way to be a kid again.

Enlightenment: Kind of...

Yogis from all over the world flock to India, the birth place of yoga and some of the greatest teachers to find inner peace and hone their daily practice. I thought that my trip to India would answer all the questions I had been struggling with: What is my purpose? Where should I live? Who should I love? I honestly thought that I would be laying on my mat after a hard practice, with sweat spewing from my pores and nerves tingling with life and BAM! everything would just come to me. A lightening blot, an apple falling from a tree: I would be completely healed of all my unknowing, then I would come back to California and create this new life purpose. Suddenly I would know exactly the steps to take to get my new job and new love. Reality: I would lay on my mat after a rather chilly practice since we started at 7am and the yoga shala was outdoors and I was struck with enlightenment alright: I am spoiled. I am spoiled to live in a free rich country, where I can go to yoga with a bamboo floors and a cozy 80 degree heated room and narcissistically think about myself. I can walk on sidewalks on clean streets, get hot water at all hours of the day in the comfort of my own home. So did I discover the meaning of life? No, but I did learn that going outside of your comfort zone and doing something that scares you will get you one step closer to those answers you seek. I don't know what my purpose is, I don't know if the type of jobs I am seeking will satisfy me, I don't know if California is where I should be. I do know that being pushed out of my comfort zone and seeing the other side of the world made me thankful for all that I have; family, friends, trash pick-up, running water, toilet paper...and it made me curious to see more. I encourage you today to do something that scares you (scares you not endangers you)! Take a different way home from work, go for a walk without your cell phone, go to a movie or concert by yourself. Anything....it doesn't have to be a trip around the world or quitting your corporate job. It can be simple or complicated, just different. I know you won't be disappointed.