I first heard this album when I was graduating high school and was about to head out into the great wide world of college over a decade ago. Even though I would have denied it vehemently then, if I was searching for one thing then, it was comfort. Not comfort like a beanbag chair or grandma’s reassuring scent. I was craving the comfort of someone who felt the uncertainty of what I was feeling and what was to come. I found that in Aqualung’s Strange and Beautiful. I remember many a lonely bus ride home while Easier to Lie played again and again in my SkullCandy headphones. It felt that this music embodied the uncertainty of what I was facing in my fast approaching college years. The all or nothing mentality, in wholly or out entirely. There was no halfway or half assed effort, either I was in or out. I had to leap or fall to my end. I lept.
This music still embodies comfort for me. Fortunately, Im not facing the same uncertainty as over 10 years ago, yet Strange and Beautiful continues to fit almost any lazy Sunday morning or set the tone for the start of a fantastic day.
I’ve always enjoyed full breakfasts with intention, flavor and if possible, extra time. These breakfasts also set the tone for a fantastic day or have the potential match a lazy one. Grain bowls have been a recent addition to my list of go tos. They are often high in protein, high in fiber and easy to add a lot of flavor to. Check out my Chai Brown Rice Bowl which with the added caffeine (from the black tea) will make sure your relaxing morning (while listening to Aqualung) turns into a productive day!
Chai Brown Rice Bowl
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups of Chai tea* (see #4)
- 1 cup of uncooked brown rice medley (or plain brown rice)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup Dried goji berries
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 8 dates, seeded and chopped
- 2 kiwi, peeled and chopped
Instructions
1. Bowl the 2.5 cups of Chai tea. Once boiling, add the cup of brown rice medley. Set a timer and bowl for 35 minutes. Once timer has tun through, pull off heat and let rest for 10 minutes.
2. Fluff the brown rice with a fork. Portion into separate bowl, about 1 cup per serving.
3. Top with walnuts, goji berries, chia seeds, dates and kiwi. Enjoy!
4.* How to make your own delicious chai (worth it, trust me!) Place in a pot with 5 cups of cold water: 1 Thumb sized piece of fresh ginger, 2 whole cinnamon sticks, 6 whole black peppercorns, 12 whole cloves and 8 cardamom pods. Place over medium high heat. Boil for 10-15 minutes. Pull off heat and add 6 bags of black tea. Let steep for 10 minutes. You will have extra tea than is required for this recipe. Drink with milk or make a Bourbon chai Toddy: http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Bourbon-Chai
Notes
Feel free to sub your own toppings, use caffeine free chai tea (or black tea if you make your own!). If you enjoy a bowl with more liquid, add 1/4 cup of milk or non-dairy substitute before serving or reheating. Other delicious alternatives are low fat almond mik and toasted coconut as a topping!