I myself felt particularly in need of more of the soothing, healing magic of nature, through the practice of
Shinrin-Yoku, or Forest Bathing, in the past few days.
Maybe you do, too. So I thought I would share one of the Invitations that are used at the beginning of every Shinrin-Yoku walk.

The purpose of this type of Invitation is to take us out of our head and back into our bodies and in touch with the Earth: bring us back into the here and now, into Presence.
Which is why it is called “Pleasures of Presence”
It is simple and easy, and I hope you will enjoy it.

If you are interested in more, I have collected a total of 32 Invitations that will help you deepen your connection with nature into a beautiful e-book, which I have made available as a downloadable PDF. You can get that for free by subscribing through the link in my profile @lifeoutofbounds

You can also find out more about Shinrin-Yoku at the link in my profile.
Wishing you a wonderful final October week, and may the Forest be with you.
xoxo
M
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#loob_nature #forest #forestbathing #shinrinyoku #shinrinyokuinvitatons #presence #mindfulness #healingpowerofnature #naturehealing #naturetherapy #autumn #autumnfoliage #fallfoliage #fallingleaves #autumncolors #naturephotography

Another lovely lunch experience with friends, which I enjoyed so much the first time that we returned a second.
Osteria Galli @osteriagalli is located right in the middle of the small town of Cantello in my area of Northern Italy.

Here the food is fresh, wholesome and good. I especially enjoyed the risotto, but everything, really.
And though I did not feature it particularly, as I hardly ever drink wine any more, that bottle of Bonarda (Isimbarda - Vigna delle More - Bonarda dell’Oltrepò Pavese) we shared was seriously good.

Like in most restaurants I know in Italy, the menu changes a few times a year to reflect the fresh produce and delicacies of the seasons.

The entrance may not look like much, more like that of a regular small town shop. But as you can see from the images, the interior is delightful.
If you explore this lesser known part of Italy, you might want to put Osteria Galli on your restaurant list.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
M
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#loob_food #loob_wheretoeat #italianfood #italianrestaurants #varese #cantello #risotto #fettuccine #porcinimushrooms #travelfood #varesetheplacetobe #italytravel #italyvacation #thisisitaly #italianlife #travelfoodie #travelfooddiary #travelfoodlovers #foodtravel #italianrestaurants

I usually can’t resist colors and joyfulness in my images, but I felt like my Instagram profile page needed a breather, a pause. I almost posted a black an white image with barely anything on it, super zen. But I really don’t have many of those.

Just like me: the pause, the breather, the quiet. I could use a whole day of that. Actually I could use a whole week, but even one day would help. A day of no talking (especially from others), no explaining every tiny, unimportant little action. A day of no doing. A day of zero expectations from others, spoken or unspoken. And the unspoken are the worst, as they are usually not legitimate needs, but caprices.

A day in which I could enter a liminal space of suspension, of the kind of quiet that goes beyond mere lack of sound. A space where only the breath of nature exist. A space where I can hear and feel my own heart.

A pause. A breath.

And how are you feeling today?
xoxo
M
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#loob_nature #naturephotography #fineartphotography #gardenphotography #nature #garden #autumngarden #rainyday #mindfulness #shinrinyoku #forestbathing #liminalspace #breathe #nandina #heavenlybamboo

My next recipe using pumpkin/squash is what I used to call (at my restaurant in Italy, in my previous life):
Purple Sweet Potato, Kabocha & Onion Millefeuille with Taleggio & Honey.

I know, long “fancy” name, but it’s descriptive, so that is what is important in menus.
Anyway: other than the fact that prepping vegetables is always a bit of work, this recipe is easier than it sounds.
I used to serve it in single portions just like you see in the images, but you can prep it in baking dish, then spoon it out, making it perfect for a festive meal, like Thanksgiving.

Get the recipe and all details on the blog via the link in my profile @lifeoutofbounds
and enjoy!
xoxo
M
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#loob_food #vegetarianmeals #vegetables #recipeswithpumpkin #pumpkinseason #okinawanpurplesweetpotatoes #kabocha #squash #pumpkin #vegetables #taleggiocheese #italianfood #italianrecipes #onions #caramelizedonions #recipesforfall #recipesfortheholidays #cookingforthesoul #mindfuleating #mindfulcooking

On this chilly autumn day, I have a yearning to hop on back to Honolulu and enjoy afternoon tea and balmy breezes at the stunning Veranda room within the Kahala Resort.
This used to be a regular thing for me, sometimes with friends, sometimes even alone, and the Veranda offers one of the two best afternoon teas in Honolulu.

Take a peek for more photos and a full review on the blog at the link in my profile @lifeoutofbounds

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
xoxo
M
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#loob_food #wheretoeat #afternoontea #honolulu #oahu #kahalaresort #teaandscones #hawaii #hawaillife #travelfood #luckywelivehawaii