Sometimes the most important practice is to ground in the present moment, doing everyday things with awareness. Nature, physical exercise, and…cooking!
I’m cooking at the Buddhist center for a couple of weeks until their new chef arrives. I’d forgotten what an amazing practice this is….there is no room for discursiveness or fantasy when the soup is about to boil over! One step naturally and seamlessly flows into the next, chopping carrots, grating ginger, monitoring temperatures, and adjusting spices until the creation is just right, not too fast, not too slow, and then making the offering to the group of mostly silent retreatants here at Vajra Vidya.
In between meals, I wander in the woods, sometimes making my way to the Karmapa stupa just up the dirt road where, looking out over the vast Saguache valley, mindfulness happens naturally.
Diary of a Pilgrim 
great all three pieces.. I just finished readin “In Buddha´s Kitchen” not surprisingly the authors name is also Kimberly Snow and the book is about life itn eh kitchen at retreats.. cant wait to read your book next!1 xxx lots of love enjoyed it all! thank you!