Paul Simon Is My New Role Model

Paul Simon is my new role model. Why, here is a 77 year old man who rocked it for over 3 hours two nights in a row a couple weeks ago on Maui. This type of entertainment takes strength and stamina. Honestly, his voice is not the clearest, but he belted out his tunes with power and passion. The concert was amazing. He danced, played instruments, sang and moved to entertain us like never before. There were a few moments I thought he was done, and thought he surely must be tired. But, no. He just kept going strong.

Mind you, we have excellent musicians here on Maui, and fabulous concerts. The venue is small so they are always intimate. This being said, many of my friends who frequent concerts said it was the best concert ever. Two night in a row he and his band entertained us with a variety of musicality none of us had witnessed. This had to take incredible genius to orchestrate and produce, and it took stamina and a lot of strength and willI to pull it off. I was impressed and still am.

Since I had shingles, my body has taken almost a year to completely rebound, reboot and prepare for the years to come. I believe it takes about a year. to really transform your body (depending on what state you are in). Now, I have a new goal and that is to get even stronger than I was before. Why? Because I want to play and enjoy my life with strong vitality. I want to create and play. Simple. No other reason. Life is just so much better and happier when you live in a strong, vibrant and healthy body.

I am inspired to create a year long reboot, recharge and restore to create a strong and vibrant body. Perhaps you too have experienced an illness or surgery that set you back. Perhaps you just need to ignite a serious preparedness program for aging. No matter what your age, it is time to prepare now. Cast a vision for the future and get ready to prepare for the trip of your lifetime - Aging!

Care to join me? Stay tuned because I am totally turned on. Thank you Paul

Join my “Age Beautifully - Prepare Your Body To Last A Lifetime” A Year Long Mastermind for committed individuals.

Contact me to see if you are a fit: Susan@Chefteton.com

Can You Ask For Help When You Really Need It? Can You Move From: "I Don't Know What I Want to I Do Know What I Want"?

 Recently a dear friend of my son’s reached out to me with a deep plea from his soul. He wanted help. His cry was “Come get me. I can’t do this alone. I need help. I am dead. I am sick. I need help. This is more than I can handle”.

Did he just say these words? No.  He screamed them from the center of his soul. He begged, demanded in a way that no one could deny. It was deep, profound, the kind of cry that you instantly reach your hand out to, no questions asked. Included in his plea was the statement, “If someone does not come in this door within a few minutes and put their arms around me tell me they love me, I am going to die. It was guttural.

I came. I had never heard such a deep, honest and courageous, yet demanding, plea as this. I had to pack, fly, rent a car and drive, which took me only 24 hours. He told me he would sit on his couch and wait for me. I arrived and he grabbed me, held me and sobbed in gratitude.

His courage to express his pain and reach out with total abandonment of any self consciousness was refreshing.  Although painful, it was beautiful. Most of us don’t have the courage to be so vulnerable. Many of us don’t even know when to ask for help, let alone how to.

 We talked for hours, and I fed him of course. I listened and tried to meet him where he was. He was stressed over money, rent, his car, and his girlfriend. He was spiraling down through a maze of ridiculous confusion over what seemed like simple matters. Simple to me. but to him, his whole life, purpose and the value of his existence was wrapped up in it and her. He also kept saying he was so afraid. I asked what he was afraid of, and he could not answer. He actually looked at me with surprise in that he thought it was obvious.

At one point after sharing, a new space emerged and we discussed action steps. I asked, “What do you want?” His only answer was, “I don’t know?” Over the course of a couple days he was able to express what we wanted within the situation. But, since the situation would determine unidentified long term outcomes, I thought it important to look ahead. He could not find the answer of what his soul wanted in his life. He just wanted this situation to be resolved. I got it. How can we think long term when we are sitting in the midst of a crisis? Most of us just want the crisis to be over.

With reflection I began to ask myself, “Why is it so much easier to express our pain rather than to express our desires?”  Even though many of the details were worked out regarding my friends rent, landlord and the girlfriend, he still could not articulate what he wanted in his life. In retrospect I think he wanted all his past efforts toward a particular outcome to turn out golden, and that is not what was happening. There was a sense of defeat and failure that he could not accept or deal with. He could no longer proceed alone. He needed help.

With further reflection I saw that many of us move from one crisis or situation after another. We often lack the foresight to create a vision that excites us and fulfills us with a sense of purpose for our future. I get this. I have done it as well. All of a sudden we find ourselves older or old and it is too late to fulfill dreams we had when we were younger. Or, we fail to continue asking ourselves. So many of us are just responding to life, and putting out fires.

 I remember when I was 42 years old, I realized that I would never be a professional dancer. When I saw that it was too late, I cried– sobbed with regret and mourned the loss of what would never be. Why didn’t I pursue it? I certainly could have, but I let life get in the way by responding to circumstances, and fulfilling short term goals instead. I did not pay attention to the deepest expression that my soul yearned for. 

How about you? Can you claim your desire with the same intensity that you claim your pain? Can you connect to your higher power and ask  yourself, “What do I really want from the deepest part of my soul?”

 Can you cultivate authentic curiosity, identify the essence of your unique desires,  and then muster up the courage to dare believe it could be yours, and then act on it?

My friend has the kind of emotional courage I admire. He was not afraid to ask for help, and neither was I. To move into lightening speed, I also had to ask for help from my friends and family. Everyone rallied. Perhaps from this new place of confidence, knowing that friends show up when we need them, we can find the space in ourselves to identify our desires beyond our immediate needs, and get support.  

Despite what is going on in your life, I suggest we all continue to ask , “What do I really want?” Asking this question May also alleviate discontent and pain, because discontent and pain often comes from dreams unrealized.

Where is your pain, and what do you need to do to alleviate it? Does it have anything to do with your deepest desires unloved? Check in and ask yourself, and if it does not come, keep asking. This is not meant to make your days ugly because you are not doing exactly what you want (if that is the case). It is meant to become self aware, and conscious about underlying rumblings.

Self awareness is not always easy, but it is always valuable. A discovery may contain the revelation you need to move forward.

Do you need help? D you have the courage to reach out and ask for help? If so, do it now.

Care to share? I would love to hear from you on this subject.

Have a question? Need help? I am once again offering complimentary consultations. Contact: Susan@ChefTeton.com.

Raw Beet Apple Salad with Macadamia Nut Powder & Fresh Mint

Raw Beet Apple Salad with Macadamia Nuts & Mint

This is the most delicious salad you ever tasted - if you like beets that is. That said, it is simple to make but a little messy. But, so worth it!!

Ingredients:

1 raw beet - washed and scrubbed

1 or 2 raw apples (depends on the size of the beet. I like lots of apple, so it is usually two to 1.

a small handful of raw macadamia nuts

a few fresh sprigs of fresh mint

Get out the grater. Now, this is important. It is vital to the taste of this salad to grate it on the very smallest grate. It takes a little work, but it is what makes it juicy. It is all about the juicy………the apple actually turns to apple sauce. This is also the best way to grate carrots too. When you make them juicy they are so much more tasty.

Grind the macadamia nuts (or sesame seeds) into a powder. I use my Vita Mix. Easy.

Mix the beets and apple, and top with macadamia powder and chopped mint. OMG, this is so good.

High Protein Vegan or Vegetarian Salad Recipe with Cultured Veggies

High Protein “Spicy” Vegan or Vegetarian (Egg) Salad

This is a recipe I pulled out of the fridge when I needed a quick meal full of some protein. I had some Arugula, and I always have carrots. So together they came with a couple boiled eggs and chopped jalapeno. This is a great lunch to prepare for your lunch. Easy! Yum

Serves 1 - Double for 2

Ingredients

2 hard boiled eggs

Grated Carrot (on the small grid - juicer that way)

Chopped Jalapeno (without the seeds)

Chopped Celery & Onion (if you like)

Olive Oil

Vegenaise (or another high quality mayo type condiment - or just olive oil)

1 tbsp Sauerkraut - or any tasty cultured veggies or Kim Chi

S&P

And, anything else you might have in thew way of extra veggies in the fridge or spices.

Directions

Smush the eggs and add in the mayo, diced jalapeno, Sauerkraut, S&P and maybe a dash of Cayenne.

Grate Carrots, and assemble all in a bowl or layered on top like shown in the picture.

Serve with crackers and/or sea weed wraps!

Want to learn more about high powered diets and recipes for Aging On Purpose. Join me and others in the “40 Day Dietary & Self Care Challenge”. Starts September. Special offer for one week only (starting August 6-13). The first 10 people to register will receive a private consultation with me. This offer is for one week only!

Also, check out my new Blog post introducing my new studio and “Why I Do What I Do”.

Letting My Freak Flag Fly- Why I Do What I Do

The picture: This is the beautiful mural created by James R. Hahn, renowned world class artist, created for my Chef Teton TV studio. The post below provides a hint of what we will be doing. Stay tuned!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Last year, July 4, 2018 (my birthday) I came down with a horrible case of shingles. On the left side of my body, wrapping from the left side of my spine, under my arm and across my left breast to my sternum. My heart center was encased in a nightmare. It hurt in a way I cannot describe, which I believe led to a level of mourning I never experienced before. I was already a self care junkie and have been teaching and coaching for years, but now the experience and insights that flooded in are serving me and I hope will serve you as well. 

It has been over a year. I am back, but different. Thank God. My goal was to be completely back to normal in one year (by this recent July 4, 2019). Oh God, let me rethink that. It was normal that put me down, so I don’t want to go there again. Although I knew the vital aspects of stress, self care, personal development and diet, I was cutting corners and not practicing what I knew I should. Could you be doing this as well? Because I “sort of” practiced excellent self care since I was 50, and was healthy for so long I thought I was invincible and took advantage of my vitality. Someone needed to knock me on the head and inform me that I am in my 70’s after all. I had let my self care practice slip, thinking I was somehow immune to any disorder. Wrong. With humility I see the error of my ways and am dedicating myself to a new practice. The is another factor in this in that we continue to learn so much about the body, our inner lives and how we can age better.

This post is dedicated to the underlying motivation that propels my self care practice now, and why I am re-dedicated to Aging With Purpose and Vitality, and sharing what I have learned and am learning with you. 

My new mission: I am going to do the best I can. I am going to push my limits like I am going for the gold medal. This does not mean I am going to push in an unhealthy way. It means I am committed and on purpose with a new attitude, perspective, wisdom and vigor. 

My training involves soaking myself and putting into action the latest info and methods about aging. It includes diet, the energy system, Circadian Rhythm, Mitochondria health, supplements, Chinese medicine, yoga, etc.. Most importantly, I am embracing the energetic and soulful lifestyle that includes community, pleasure, fun and the deep spiritual practice it takes to connect with self, honor self, and take appropriate and safe action. It has to be fun! And, I am discovering the rewards are dramatically satisfying.

This may sound a bit much, but I am driven in this area for some reason - always have been. I am a warrior on the path of wellness (the path of Imi’ola). It is just the way it is. It is my art, it is what motivates me, and I love the study of life at its best. It is me letting my Freak Flag Fly. 

I have arrived at 74 actually quite healthy, and feeling vibrant, although the way I approached it in the past was stressful in that I sought vitality through avoidance of getting older and weaker. I was trying way too damn hard. Although my inner world was wise and I could teach spiritual practices for self growth with my eyes closed, I was not nurturing myself with what I knew to do. I was partially acting out an old identity with adaptive behaviors that I was blind to, and that are often motivated by trying to avoid something or trying to get something. In the most subtle ways I was not acting on my own behalf a good part of the time, although it sure looked like I was. Did I know this? No. With guidance I cried “help” and thus grew to discover that the energy of approaching life through avoidance is one that creates stress in the body and soul. I had to wake up and re-learn what acting on my own behalf is. Can you relate?

Conversely an impeccable self care practice motivated by the vision of Aging on purpose, with purpose, creates excitement and motivation fueled by honesty, humility and commitment and a vision of wonderfulness. I mean, let’s really look at this. We either age and embrace it or go underground. We can’t really anti age, but we can age well and be happy while we do it. The current paradigm of aging is full of fear and disease, and often shame and embarrassment. Every time I listen to a new summit or podcast, they start out by informing the listeners that all these horrible diseases are imminent as we age. This is not the TRUTH. They are not, if we breeze into our elder years with preparedness. 

Learning new ways is easy, but putting them into practice is another story, particularly if they call for change. It takes discipline, and this calls for a new type of discipline, one motivated by a vision of possibility. I recently heard my yoga teacher say “discipline is being a disciple of your higher self”. This landed in me deeply, because this is where it must start. We must be disciples of our higher self who whispers in our ear’s what is in our highest and best interest. Are you listening?

Acting on our own behalf takes much more than a healthy smoothie or a vitamin supplement. It takes listening and maneuvering in a world that no one has taught us to go yet. Watching my Mom live in her 80’s and 90’s paved the way for a new vision - for me anyway. 

Webster defines discipline in negative ways speaking of punishment, yet there was one definition that spoke more true to me:  “To train or develop by instruction and exercise especially in self-control”. Is self control what it is going to take in our current culture? Yes, I think so. Yet, self control does not need to be taken to the limit of torture.  Learning, growing and using self control to create new lifestyle practices is what is being called for here. None of us have lived tomorrow yet. Most of us do not have role models that show us how to live vibrantly at 70, 80 or 90. There is just too much disease and depletion happening. I see those of us who take on the path of Aging With Purpose and Vitality as the new warriors of elders. Let’s do it well. 

If we are not disciplining ourselves and not taking the action we know is in our best interest, then our only punishment is depriving ourselves of our God given potential, pleasure and fun that is available to us. 

There will be much more coming from me on this subject as I let my freak flag fly.  I am creating a movement, and I hope you will join me. 

Keep your glow, enhance your vitality and honor the self that has no limits. 

Let’s sail into the era as wise elders who have their shit together.

What say you?

Susan Teton

Special Offer: For one week only (August 6-13) offering 1 complimentary private consultation to the first 10 people who register. Check it out below and register now. Aloha

Join me for the 40 Day Dietary Self Care Challenge - begins September 4th!

Susan Teton is an Author and evangelist for smart eating, regenerative agriculture (culture) and living a vision of our highest potential as we cruise into our elder years. Www.ChefTeton.com