Why It’s Ok Not To “Meditate” & A Veggie Caesar Salad

I’ve got a lot on my brain right now. I’m adopting a baby for one (!!) and have some major stuff about to launch with OPP (excited for you to see). Mostly awesome things, but lots of ideas constant swirling and sometimes it can get the best of me. And if I have to hear one more person say “you should meditate”…ARG. No shiiiiiit. I would love to meditate more. In fact, I try it often. Sometimes I can. Sometimes I can’t. And more recently, the swirls take over and I just have to get up and start working. It feels extremely frustrating, because I want to be one of those rock star meditation people that has perfect posture and feels all enlightened and saves the world.

But last week, all of that frustration over meditation went away. Really.

I was listening to James Altucher on Rich Roll’s podcast, and he said something that changed the way I felt about meditation. He explained that we must know ourselves. Like really know ourselves. Not that you have brown hair or really love a good episode of Game Of Thrones (he didn’t really use a GOT reference) – but really know who you are and how “meditation” and “spirituality” fits into your life. For him, it doesn’t mean sitting like a Tibetan monk. That hurts his knees. He prefers English over Sanskrit. Because, well, that’s the language he speaks. He said it’s about taking what you know and running it through your own filter and determining what’s best for you. Pretty incredible, right?

So what happened when I ran this through my filter? I’ve been learning to run and I don’t get the idea-swirls because I’m too busy trying to pick up my feet. I love finding Kundalini yoga classes on YouTube and trying them out (and do enjoy chanting in a language I can’t understand). I love waking up a half hour early and just laying in bed daydreaming without checking my phone or email. Right now, these are my meditations. In terms of traditional meditation, I’ll eventually get there. But right now I’m not and that’s ok.

So when I eat this week’s recipe, it’s another form of enlightenment. Because when I eat it, I only have one thought – how much I freaking love eating it. It’s a go-to dish of mine. Especially when my fridge is a little bare. There are dozens of veggie Caesar dressing recipes out there, and I’ve tried most of them. This one (from the book Isa Does It) is one of my favorites. I modified it a bit, but kept it simple. I think you’ll really dig it.

Before we get to the recipe…can you try this out for me?

Find your meditation.
Maybe it’s good ol’ fashioned meditation. Maybe it’s cooking.
Maybe it’s just lying on the floor for 20 minutes petting your dog.
Whatever it is, figure out the thing that gives your brain a break and go with it.
It’s about finding what works for you.

And one more thing, please share this post with someone else who might need it.

{ Caesar Dressing }
slightly adapted from Isa Does It

1/2 cup cashews, soaked for at least two hours
1 head roasted garlic, about 10 cloves (grab some already roasted from a salad bar to save time)
1/4 cup capers, with some brine
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast (more if you like)
1 tablespoon olive oil (I reduced from 2 tablespoons, up to you)
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Drain the cashews and put everything in a blender and blend. Depending on your blender, this could take up to five minutes. Toss with romaine, avocado, sprouts, and olives…or the veggies of your choice. Keep in the fridge, covered. Will last up to five days.

Catch the whole episode with James Altucher on Rich Roll’s show. And then dive into more episodes. They’re all really inspiring.