where the wind blows

We're just days away from the TEAM Survivor San Diego's first dragon boat race at the Arizona Dragon Boat Festival in Tempe. This team has come a long way from our first days together when the dragon boat team was put together last Spring. I have no expectation of placing at the race and feel getting there with a strong, dedicated group of cancer survivors enthusiastic about a new found sport (for us) is a self-proclaimed victory.

To commerate the event and honor those who aren't able to be with us in the boat, Becca, our team captain, and I got together for a quick craft project to create our TSSD Dragon Boat Team prayer flags which we'll hang along our tent at the event...and hopefully, every event thereafter for as long as the flags last.

Traditionally, the colors of the flags represent all of the elements and the Five Pure Lights, however we used hues of our team color, purple, which commemorates awareness for all types of cancers, similar to how pink is used for breast cancer awareness. We kept the edges frayed since the tradition is to let the prayer flags dissolve into the wind so that the mantras, or in our case, words honoring our loved ones, are carried to all beings. Poetic, eh?

These flags will be written on by our team members this week, but we've also prepared additional fabric squares which we'll make available at our event for others to share their words. We hope they'll donate some money toward our cause as well...after all, we're a volunteer-run non-profit and want to continue to provide programs such as dragon boating to women cancer survivors in our community.

The concept of these prayer flags has really touched my heart and hope that it's the beginning of a new tradition for my team.

itchin' for the kitchen

I've returned to Lady of Leisure status and recently got back from my trip to NYC to help my BFF get ready for her big move -- six blocks away from her current apartment. This was one of my favorite trips to NYC. I think it's 'cause I'm finally becoming familiar with the different "sides" of Manhattan.

I arrived with my list of restaurants and bakeries locked in my mind and had a plan. It was nice to visit my long-time fave, Angelica Kitchen, where I was reminded of their Dragon Bowl. This was a staple of mine back in the days when I was following a macrobiotic diet. I don't think I'll be going macro any time soon, but have started re-introducing the dragon bowl to my regular menu. I've already had my version of it twice since I got back!

Since I've returned, I've been on a cooking spree, inspired by my culinary holiday in NYC, making whatever comes to mind. I borrowed this book from the library and started my batch of no-knead bread right away. I've read raves about it on many blogs for some time and now I know why. The bread was so easy to make and was SO delicious. I think I have to ban myself from making the next batch 'cause I've been baking fresh bread every day ever since. We have been devouring each piece! B is boycotting the bread now because it's too easy to eat it all and he doesn't want to suffer the consequences of consuming all the extra carbs. One morning, he said he woke up with a bread hangover. ha.ha. I can't imagine not making this bread again, so I ordered the book.

While looking for supplies, I gravitated toward King Arthur flour. Originally, I was on their site for a plastic container to store the dough in the fridge, but ended up with their baking book as well. I'm planning on baking sandwich bread for B.