Making mistakes is part of the journey of life and in some way is the more educational route. Often you will learn a new life lesson along the way. But so many of us get caught up in the concept of perfection forgetting that perfection doesn’t lead to a rounded experience overall and that allowing mistakes to happen via risk is often the most important hidden reward.
Remember to be conscious as your mistake is made, or to reflect on it after the fact if you are not aware during. Be thoughtful about honoring your time and energy required to figure out how you got there and how you will get out of it. Often your intentional path will be adjusted based on your new found learnings.
An act or thoughtthatunintentionallydeviatesfromwhat is correct,right, or true.
I left Hospitality Services, Inc work full time for myself building a design studio and to give it a try with a business partner and best friend. We had dreams of building a product line in her namesake and creating a sustainable business. She had no business experience or investment capital and she was weary about getting involved. I pushed her to do something out of her comfort zone and to focus on sweat equity instead of HEARING her say, “No.” The end result was what you would expect; a loss of a 12 year old friendship and a product line in her name that she had no desire to do anything with. We parted ways.
Learning: What I learned from this was to listen better and to really HEAR people. I get it now when someone says, “No” and I back away willingly.
My new path due to my mistake: I realized my friend and I had co-dependent friendship that wouldn’t stand the test of time, and letting it go enabled me to walk away and build a new set of healthy friendships. One of those relationships was Kurt. Another piece of this was realizing that I didn’t want to have a lifestyle product line or to invest in building a brick n’ mortar operation. I wanted to be free from all boundaries to travel and explore. I moved to London right after the end of our business, then onto Ithaca, Beacon, New York City and finally Guatemala.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As part 2 of a series of narratives on our family story and falling in love with each other you can see our differences, struggles and general lack of balance.
Excited for a chance to get to know Kurt, Rache had planned to leave work early and head to Maxie’s Oyster Bar just in time for happy hour. During the weekdays it started at 4pm, but that was still an hour or two before the house was packed after leaving work. She always sat at the bar, and that night was no different. She had company with the bartender Maddy laughing and chatting about a variety of things – boys, life, experience, job irritation, etc. She had worked a few times before when Rache was in, so there was context and familiarity. Typically Maddy kept herself busy which allowed Rache to work, sometimes breaking out her laptop on the bar top or other times just reading on her phone.
The menu at Maxie’s may have changed, but it was always the same for Rache: a dozen oysters, a dozen steamed clams (no butter, no bread) and 2 Patron Silver’s neat with limes on the side. In the months coming back from London, Rache had fallen in love with all things potatoes for comfort and also familiarity. Maxie’s had the best waffle cut and seasoned fries on the planet, and at least 1 or 2 baskets made it onto the table. It was her very own well-balanced meal.
She waited until Kurt’s arrival for the food, but the drinks were poured and ready to clink. They were barely just starting to get to know each other and at this point had decided friends and buddies was the best way to go since they were unsure of the next steps in their paths. They were collaborating on a raw food television concept and starting to learn more about each other’s businesses. Tonight was about networking as much as friendship.
Kurt walked in and saw Rache talking to Maddy. Whoops. This was just about to be awkward. He had tried dating Maddy when he was in his ‘exploration process of women’ last year and now here she was chatting up Rache with no idea he was coming to meet her. So, he decided to downplay it.
Kurt sat down, exchanging looks with Maddy and said, “Hi.” So far, so good. He got a drink, and the group chatted, mostly Maddy and Kurt caught each other up. She had been away traveling, so it was good to see her and catch up. It was a natural and easy conversation and it seemed like Rache was participating.
What a waste of time, Rache thought. This was supposed to be catching up with Kurt, talking about ideas for Cook it Raw and getting to know each other. How would she have ever known that Kurt would be friendly with the bartender here, and if she knew there is no way she would have sat at the bar. Meaningless conversation is the last thing in the world that Rache liked to listen too, especially when it was two consenting adults who looked like they were going to fuck on the bar top. This was bullshit.
It has been so great to catch up with Maddy, Kurt thought. It had been a year or so and he forgot how adventurous and fun she is; full of life and travel. It was also really great to be around someone closer to his age and to have a soul searching conversation after having just completed his efforts. He felt important and useful in his banter. In someways the moment brought back the days on the road in the RV and his mind was lost in consideration of the past voyage to this place.
An hour had gone by and the oysters, tequila and chips were long gone. Since it was a quiet night at Maxie’s there were only a few regulars at the bar, and it was noticeable that Kurt and Maddy were enjoying their conversation and that Maddy wasn’t really focusing on her work. Rache eventually said she was going to go home. She asked for the check, paid politely and wished Maddy well. She turned abruptly and walked out. Kurt sat for a moment and questioned what he missed. Eventually, he bid his farewells to Maddy and followed.
Rache had already gotten to her car before Kurt got out of the restaurant. He hustled to get to her in time before she got into her car and pressed at what was wrong. Rache exploded, “I felt like a fucking 3rd wheel on someone else’s date. I have better things to do and tonight was supposed to be about us getting to know each other.” She opened her car and got in, closing the door and turning on the car.
He had no idea at how she felt about him until that moment, and when he realized he became paralyzed with thoughts, unable to say anything meaningful. So, he just watched the car back out of the spot and drive off into the dark night.
[vc_row id=”” visibility=”” css_animation=”” style=”” center_row=”” tablet_fullwidth_cols=”” min_height=”” bg_color=”” bg_image=”” bg_style=”” parallax_style=”” parallax_direction=”” parallax_speed=”” parallax_mobile=”” video_bg=”” video_bg_overlay=”” video_bg_mp4=”” video_bg_webm=”” video_bg_ogv=”” border_style=”” border_color=”” border_width=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_right=”” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vcex_image_grid grid_style=”default” columns=”3″ title_type=”title” thumbnail_link=”none” lightbox_caption=”true” custom_links_target=”_self” img_width=”9999″ img_height=”9999″ image_ids=”2609,2608,2610″][vcex_spacing size=”30px” class=”” visibility=””][vc_column_text]You can certainly tell by these photos that we like each other! Just as we do with most things, we broke up a moving trip by a spontaneous golf range outing. I mean, driving for 4-hours + is no fun without a little road-trip excursion!
It was hilarious to have to adjust the 2 kayaks on top of one of our cars to get out our clubs, and dig to the bottom of a pile of bins in the other car. We had so much fun… and looking through these pictures is a great reminder of how simple and basic fun can be. We made total fools out of ourselves, but hey! Who was there to watch? No one.[/vc_column_text][vcex_feature_box style=”left-image-right-content” content_width=”50%” media_width=”50%” heading=”Baineridge Golf Range, Somewhere NY: Do It Yourself Golf” heading_type=”h2″ image=”2613″ img_width=”9999″ img_height=”9999″]Want to try the adventure for yourself? It is great, you basically roll up into the parking lot, open up the money box (which is totally out in the open) and put enough money corresponding to the bucket of balls that is there. Absolutely hilarious.
Then you pick up a T and a club (or in our case we BYOC), and hit to your hearts content. All on your honor.
The views are absolutely outstanding check this out![/vcex_feature_box][vcex_spacing size=”30px” class=”” visibility=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vcex_spacing size=”30px” class=”” visibility=””][vcex_image_carousel style=”default” item_width=”230px” min_slides=”1″ max_slides=”4″ items_scroll=”page” auto_play=”true” infinite_loop=”true” timeout_duration=”5000″ arrows=”true” thumbnail_link=”none” custom_links_target=”_self” img_width=”500″ img_height=”500″ image_ids=”2612,2600,2607,2601,2602,2603,2604,2605,2606,2614″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]So the moving is done (mostly) and we are finally we are settling into our new home. It seems like when we get into the habit of moving, our diet goes a rye. Now that we are here, it is time to kick off the healthy lifestyle again so we can get back to normal… I’d like to lose the little pudge in the middle and sleep through the night more consistently. Kurt wants to fix his rotator cuff, and lose the inflammation in his hands.
It brings me back to a time when were were just starting to date in Ithaca, and Kurt had his Kurt’s Cuisine service. Ahhh reminiscing of the good ‘ol days. 🙂
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vcex_spacing size=”30px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vcex_feature_box style=”left-image-right-content” content_width=”50%” media_width=”50%” heading_type=”h2″ image=”2202″ img_width=”9999″ img_height=”9999″]Kurt’s Cuisine was developed after living at the Ithaca Zen Center and participating in the Body Mind Retreats. While it was a relatively short-lived operation, it is still a long term vision for Kurt, but has taken a back seat to his art career for the last 3 years.[/vcex_feature_box][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_text_separator title=”One of My Favorite Kurt’s Cuisine Events” title_align=”separator_align_center” style=”five” element_type=”div”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vcex_image_carousel style=”default” item_width=”230px” min_slides=”1″ max_slides=”4″ items_scroll=”page” auto_play=”true” infinite_loop=”true” timeout_duration=”5000″ arrows=”true” thumbnail_link=”none” custom_links_target=”_self” img_width=”500″ img_height=”500″ image_ids=”2204,2206,2211,2208,2207,2205,2212,2209,2210,2203″][vc_text_separator title=”2 Delicious Vitamix Recipes” title_align=”separator_align_center” style=”five” element_type=”div”][vcex_feature_box style=”left-image-right-content” content_width=”50%” media_width=”50%” heading_type=”h3″ image=”2214″ img_width=”9999″ img_height=”9999″]Brazilian Choco Maca
[vc_row id=”” visibility=”” css_animation=”” style=”” center_row=”” tablet_fullwidth_cols=”” min_height=”” bg_color=”” bg_image=”” bg_style=”” parallax_style=”” parallax_direction=”” parallax_speed=”” parallax_mobile=”” video_bg=”” video_bg_overlay=”” video_bg_mp4=”” video_bg_webm=”” video_bg_ogv=”” border_style=”” border_color=”” border_width=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_right=”” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.[/vc_column_text][vcex_spacing size=”30px” class=”” visibility=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_text_separator title=”Kurt Before Rache” title_align=”separator_align_center” style=”five” element_type=”div”][vcex_image_galleryslider thumbnail_link=”none” custom_links_target=”_self” img_width=”400″ img_height=”400″ img_thumb_width=”200″ img_thumb_height=”200″ caption=”true” animation=”slide” slideshow=”true” randomize=”false” smooth_height=”false” slideshow_speed=”7000″ animation_speed=”600″ image_ids=”2019,2015,2010,2023,2021″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_text_separator title=”Rache Before Kurt” title_align=”separator_align_center” style=”five” element_type=”div”][vcex_image_galleryslider thumbnail_link=”none” custom_links_target=”_self” img_width=”400″ img_height=”400″ img_thumb_width=”200″ img_thumb_height=”200″ caption=”true” animation=”slide” slideshow=”true” randomize=”false” smooth_height=”false” slideshow_speed=”7000″ animation_speed=”600″ image_ids=”2020,2014,2025,2009,2011″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vcex_spacing size=”30px” class=”” visibility=””][vc_text_separator title=”Photos From The Beginning” title_align=”separator_align_center” style=”five” element_type=”div”][vc_column_text]The last couple of years have been the best of our life. So much fun, adventure and passion directed towards things we are interested in. We are lucky to be partners and to have a daughter by our side to give us a reason to strive harder, helping to guide and support us along the way.[/vc_column_text][vcex_spacing size=”30px” class=”” visibility=””][vcex_image_grid grid_style=”default” columns=”6″ title_type=”title” thumbnail_link=”none” lightbox_caption=”true” custom_links_target=”_self” img_width=”250″ img_height=”200″ image_ids=”2059,2058,2057,2062,2056,2055,2054,2051,2052,2053,2050,2049,2048,2045,2046,2047,2044,2043,2042,2039,2040,2041,2038,2037,2036,2035,2034,2033,2030,2031,2032,2029,2060,2061,2063,2064″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Throwback BB: I uncovered this from an old Ra’Co draft when Kurt and I just got started building the Ra’Co Life site. I don’t even think he was at the event! It made me laugh so I thought I would share.
Wow! What an amazing day. It was snowy and cold in January, but this incredible event jump-started the year for TILT’s Idea Igloo… our first proper Friends & Family Brunch Stateside in almost 2 years. The menu was a sensational blend of cooked and raw food. We had a TexMex themed Brunch that started at 12 and went most of the day and while we typically we have a hard stop time at 4pm, it just spilled over into the evening – a grand display of food, fun and laughter.
Can you tell we have been busy? Just getting ’round to posting this almost two months later. Yikes! Please feel free to contact us if you want any of the recipes from below.
On the Menu:
Vegan Mexican Casserole w/ layers of beans, veggies, eggs and corn tortillas (GF, DF, SF, WF, V)
Fried Potatoes with Mixed Veggies and Peppers (V, GF, DF, SF, WF)
Mexican Fried Coconut Ice Cream using Coconut Bliss Ice Cream (DF, SF, WF, GF, V) w/ tons of toppings
It was a great chance to also get to know some of the friends of our friends who are also in town. Food always brings people closer together. The Mexican Fried Ice Cream was a project for the whole group to enjoy together. It never would have happened without a team effort!
So our next stop after leaving Beacon, NY was Northampton, MA. We wanted to stop over at Rache’s parents to have a big first birthday party for Iza and get in a little family time before we leave for Guatemala. As you can see from the previous blog, we had a blast at Iza’s birthday. Iza got in some great playtime with her cousins. And Northampton was beautiful in the spring. We spent the evenings on the back porch listening to the frogs and looking out over the marshland behind the house. A great way to prepare us for our next stop, a Zen retreat in Ithaca, NY.
We left Ithaca… like we leave all places; quickly, without question, and without a trace. While we had made great friends and enjoyed our time thoroughly, we are movers and shakers. But we left behind a lot and one of the biggest was an opportunity to live and breathe within a raw food kitchen.
Kurt’s gorgeous farm house in Newfield was just on the other side of Ithaca from where I lived. He had a great room and regular home kitchen in the house, but outside there was a barn adjacent to the house that was a dedicated raw food kitchen. It was here that he birthed Kurt’s Cuisine, here that we filmed our scenes for Ra’Co. It is missed.
One of my favorite memories was the first time I cooked in the kitchen with Kurt. We had just started connecting and he asked me to cook with him. Very early in the morning, around 4:30am, we woke up and headed to the kitchen. It was quiet and the fields were misty with the dawn breaking. Idyllic. We made tea and then went onto making a raw cheesecake for my dad, with blackberry swirls. It was an amazing experience for me to make. I will always remember this kitchen.
I came across this photo from the kitchen and it made me nostalgic. Wanted to share.
What do you do when the weather sucks? Host a Winterfest, filled with fresh food! This is a very easy day to craft and it makes all the difference to do it with friends and family in attendance.
Sunday, in the middle of an up and down weather day with winter and spring (high temps, low temps / snow, sun) we had a delicious Vegfest, complete with locally grown winter veggies, and a variety of other options.
A small and intimate group, this offered us the chance to try out a few new options and really relax into the day. What a wonderful moment.
On the Menu (Everything is GF, V, SF, LDF, WF, MF, with the exception of the Tangerine Pudding and the Veggie Pancakes which had 1 egg in each batch):
Mushroom, Asparagus, Leek, Onion, Garlic and Brussels Sprout Scramble
Marishya’s Veggie Soup w/ a Parsley Dusting
Zucchini and Carrot Pancakes for Dipping
Tomato, Pine Nut Italian Salad
Fresh Green Salad w/ Mustard Seed Dressing
Hummus and Veggie Crudites
Broccolirabe Salad with Sesame Seeds
Tangerine English Pudding Squares w/ Tahini Almond Butter
And for Dessert:
TILT Raw Chocolates
Dehydrated Honey Dipped Orange Slices
Rosemary and Olive Oil Apple Chips
Roasted Sweet and Savory Mixed Nuts
For any recipes, please contact us and we are happy to send your way.
Fresh Green Salad w/ Mustard Seed Dressing
Tomato, Pine Nut Italian Salad
Mushroom, Asparagus, Leek, Onion, Garlic and Brussels Sprout Scramble
Marishya’s Veggie Soup w/ a Parsley Dusting
Hummus and Veggie Crudites
Tangerine English Pudding Squares w/ Tahini Almond Butter
Dehydrated Honey Dipped Orange Slices
Rosemary and Olive Oil Apple Chips
TILT Raw Chocolates
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An act or thought that unintentionally deviates from what is correct, right, or true. 
Sunday, in the middle of an up and down weather day with winter and spring (high temps, low temps / snow, sun) we had a delicious Vegfest, complete with locally grown winter veggies, and a variety of other options.
