My name is Talya and I am a yogaholic. I am proud of this fact. My last boyfriend told me I stretched too much, that I was addicted to the postures, that I didn’t need it as much as I thought I did. But when we broke up and I couldn’t get out of bed on Christmas (he dumped me right before the holidays – brutal!), yoga was the only thing that got me out of bed and into the world. It might not have been a pretty sight (or a good-smelling one), but I showed up and stretched and breathed and cried. Thank you, God, for yoga.
My name is Talya and this is my blog. Sometimes I wonder if the contribution I make to the world is really enough. Is it really enough to show up at the local gym and teach people how to correctly position their shoulders over their wrists? Is it enough to teach cooking classes and turn people onto Ume Plum Vinegar and Green Superfoods? Am I good enough? Rejection does this. It makes me ask if I’m loveable, if I’m worthy, if I’m even really here. So… am I?
I took a walk on West Cliff Drive today with a woman I love and admire. She assured me that, yes, I am here. And she reminded me of the power of being your own best friend. Of looking these feelings in the eyes (grief, anger, devastation, hurt, sadness, vengeance, jealousy… the dark side, essentially) and saying: “That’s right, girl. That’s how you are feeling right now! You have every right to feel that way!” And you don’t have to make up a story about why you feel it. You can just let it be.
Love yourself.
Feel it.
Love yourself.
Feel it.
Maybe take a nap.
Go to yoga again.
Allow your super-awesome friend to bring you soup and watch you eat it.
Make raw brownies.
Feel it.
Love yourself.
Martha Graham says, “the body never lies”. Its core essence only wants to communicate truth to you – through you – the truth of how beautiful you are in your humanness. So… I’ll just be real. I lost something I really loved. There’s part of me that wants to be a victim, but there’s a bigger part of me that wants to heal this… And so I will. I’m learning to let go. I’m learning to trust that the Universe loves me, that God knows me better than I know myself and that – gosh darnit – people like me (and God LOVES me). So, now… I’m going to do the sensible thing and make Sweet Potato Fries with Raw Ranch Dressing for lunch. It’s the loving (and super delicious) thing to do. Take that, ex-boyfriend!!!!
Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
2 medium/large sweet potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 4 inch long, 1/2 inch thick fries
2 to 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil or ghee (or olive oil if that’s all you have around)
1 teaspoon coarse ground Himalayan salt or Celtic sea salt or Real Salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon coconut sugar (optional)
1 teaspoon whole coriander seed (optional)
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Toss the sweet potatoes with the oil, salt, cumin, sugar and coriander so the fries are well coated.
Spread a single layer of fries out onto a cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
Turn the fries over, maybe move them to the top rack in the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the fries are golden brown and slightly crisp. Serve with Raw Ranch Dressing.
Raw Ranch Dressing
Ingredients:
1/2 cup soaked raw cashews
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (optional)
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 cup chopped fresh basil leaves or 2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed (optional)
Directions:
Place everything in a blender and process until smooth and creamy. Add an extra tablespoon of water if the sauce is too thick. Serve with Sweet Potato Fries.
I love it. Mostly because I think you are beautiful, but also because I love plum vinegar! Ha! But seriously, knowing that your yoga teacher is human, and not just a figure at the front of class that guides you through you poses and occasionally touches you in the most lovely way, is such a breath of fresh air. It makes you more approachable, more assessable, and because of all this, more desirable. We connect to each other through our experiences, and girl, we have all had breakups and damn they are not fun. Love and light to you my friend and let’s make good on that trade/date/whatever you wanna call it 🙂
Talya, you are a beautiful warm human being who is so loved! I know how painful it can be when you feel like your heart has been ripped out. But he obviously did not deserve you. Light and love to you. Tara
Talya,
I echo what Tara said. I also LOVED the sweet potato fries but the best part was the raw ranch! I will use this all the time!! Thank you for doing this blog.
Kathy
OMG.. just read this and I love it… you are exquisite… in every sense … and I’m not just saying that because you are my beloved cuz and soul sister! Your authenticity and willingness to be vulnerable and love yourself fully set you apart Tal… how inspiring to witness your unfolding. Oh how I wish I was there to cook for you my friend…. I’ve been “getting my food on” too in my breakup… now that I’m done depriving myself (you think 15 years was enough of that!?)…
And your cookbook continues to be hands down my most splatter covered and dog eared (sp?) and most beloved of my collection …. cant wait to make the raw ranch!
xo T
Oh dear Talya, We should have been broken hearted together! I’ve been dealing w a breakup right about at the new year. :/
I’m so happy to have just discovered your blog – a little late but better late than never! I’m gonna make those sweet potato fries and don’t you think I won’t!
You are a vital being in our community and in my circle of friends, and are a cherished healer!!! you brought me food when I couldn’t even cook for myself or really take care of myself due to my own crisis last Fall — You are and angel 🙂 That was a level of nourishing and love that I absolutely was not able to provide for myself at that time and I love you for it and will never ever forget it. And um.. yum? (wow!!!!! where do I begin? oh and btw? best brownies I’ve ever had in my LIFE!)
– and when I’m not working this Summer I am all over your yoga classes! yay!!
Can’t wait to see you – soon! Let’s try to meet up again and wrap up the heart ache and look at what’s next!
Hugs and so much love,
Your friend and admirer,
Charlotte
I’ll right away grab your rss feed as I can’t find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Hi! Go to my homepage – you can sign up for my newsletter!