30 Days of Yoga

Whether you are a newbie to Yoga or a Yogi master, I think you will love 30 Days of Yoga with Adriene. While I prefer the challenge and focus of my favourite classes in a hot studio,  Adriene’s YouTube channel has helped fill in the gaps in the comfort of my own home, when getting to the studio isn’t so easy. And surprisingly, her 30 days has been much more challenging than I thought.

This challenge will take you through 30 days of yoga with a 15-30 minute video and minimal equipment required (just your mat and yoga block). The biggest struggle I find with my practice is consistency and getting on my mat regularly. With Adriene’s short video’s, it is almost impossible to say we are too busy. Sadly though, I have found myself skipping out on my regular practice, as summer has been quite full and let’s face it routines are tough and we aren’t perfect. Remember, if life gets in the way from you hitting the mat, don’t get down on yourself, just keep your goal in sight. It’s important to keep focus on the benefits that come with daily practice and to remember a short practice is better than no practice. It is amazing how daily practice quickly improves the clarity of your mind and how your body feels.

Adriene’s mission with the 30 day challenge is to inspire you to find what feels good. To connect with this 30 day commitment to deepen your practice and take the time play. It’s all about concentrating on the fundamentals. And I will  note that she is also a delight to practice with.

With a new season ahead, I am going to start from the top again and commit myself to 30 days. I challenge you to join me and take the 30 day challenge. You will not regret it. 🙂

30 days

Ready, Set, Yoga. xx

 

Sweet Kale

Hello Friends! I’ve been  away on a few getaways over the last few weeks and as a result I have been taking a break from dishing in the kitchen and on the blog – not to mention a whole list of other things to boot! With the summer ending, I enjoy taking the time to recharge and enjoy what’s left of the warm weather – soaking up the last summer rays. Now that September is here, I am feeling refreshed and ready to get back into a routine. Time to be inspired. 🙂

As the summer season is winding down, I am diligently trying to prolong my fruitful garden for as long as I can. For those trying to find your inner green thumb, I highly suggest you plant some kale next year. Its low maintenance and easy growth will fill you with pride and delight as you harvest bags of kale each week. It has honestly supplied our home with loads of gorgeous greens throughout the summer months and I’m overjoyed when I think of the cost savings, carbon footprint and health benefits that come in hand with growing your own goods.

With kale on the mind, here is another combination for you all to try.

Blend 1 cup strawberries, 1-2 cups of watermelon, 1-2 cups water, some mint and a bunch of kale. (yields 4 servings) Don’t be afraid to add more water if necessary to reach the desired consistency, this will vary from blender to blender.

Hope you enjoy these sweet greens!

Sweet Kale

Peace Love Kale. xx

If on a winter’s night a traveler

If on a winter's night a traveler

Italo Calvino is arguably one of Italy’s greatest modern novelist and in my opinion a literary genius. If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler is a rare find – challenging yet brilliant to read – a true original. It’s been quite awhile since I read this one, but I am still astonished on how Calvino pulled this one off. This novel left me frustrated at times, yet entertained and intrigued to continue reading. You will realize soon after you start this one that you have to keep reading! The protagonist of this novel is you – the reader (written in second person) – it’s quite clever indeed! You are tied into the plot as soon as you start reading with the attempt to finish Calvino’s novel. However, problems keeps occurring, obstructing that ultimate mission. Combined you find, 22 passages, that are split between; the second-person narrative, that concerns the reader’s adventures in reading, If on a winter’s night a traveler and stories that are the first chapter of 10 different novels. All varying in style and genre from danger, mystery, sorrow, and romance that break off as they reach climax.

This novel explores how and why we read, touching on postmodernism, post-structuralism and existentialism. Calvino opens up the discussion of the interpretation of novels and subjectivity of their meaning. He theorizes how novels are open to infinite interpretations and that the meaning is determined by the reader rather than the author. He touches on how novels offer readers a reason to escape their convoluted structure of life, offering a pathway to their own personal meaning.

I absolutely recommend this read for all literature lovers, don’t get discourage and embrace the confusion; it will blow your mind.

xx!

Beet-Melonade

Last summer I was obsessed with all things watermelon and lime and this summer I am finding my fancy with the blend of watermelon and lemon – yumm so refreshing… After trying YamChops cold-pressed watermelon and lemon juice, I knew I had to start making this one at home; that $9.50 a pop is only justifiable as a treat. Instantly inspired to make my own, I was ready to do just that. Then came my ah-ha moment while harvesting beets from the garden. I thought why not add a few of these red beauties to  pump up the nutrient value for this sweet juice (see their benefits here).

And that is how Beet-Melonade was born. To my anti-beet followers, trust me when I say – you won’t even recognize the beets in this one. Deliciously sweet with a subtle sour tang, this juice is by far my favourite combo this summer and best served cold. Give it a whirl and let me know your thoughts!

Beet-Melonade

Juice or blend half of a watermelon, 1 lemon (I juice with rind) and 4-5 small-medium beets.

Beet-Melonade

Pucker Up. xx

Cucumber Bites

Here’s an appetizer that can be prepped in advanced, easy to fix when your guests arrive and deliciously fresh. These cucumber bites take a bit of a healthy spin and can easily be adapted to suit your tastes. Simply, find your favourite filling and fill your cucumber bowl and you’ll have one tasty bite (or maybe two). They are great filled with crab, spinach dip, and hummus; the options are limitless. I’d love to hear how you would fill yours!

My cucumber bites take on a Greek twist, with herbs, lemon, feta, olives, peppers, tomatoes and onion; combined to satisfy your taste buds. This recipe honestly doesn’t get any easier with three steps-cut, scoop, fill. I always prep my filling the night before and when it’s party time all that is left to do is cut the cucumber, scoop out the centre and fill- so easy!

Cucumber Bites (yields 20-24 bites)

  • 2 cucumbers
  • 1/2 red pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 small red onion, chopped
  • 1 roma tomato, chopped
  • 1/8 cup canned sliced black olives, chopped
  • 1/8 cup fresh feta, crumbled
  • 1/4 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1/8 cup parsley/basil, chopped
  • juice of 1 lemon plus 1 tbsp zest OR 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper to tasteCucumber Bites

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the pepper, onion, tomato, olives, feta, herbs, lemon juice and zest, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Peel the cucumbers partially, cut each cucumber into 1-inch thick slices. Scoop out the center of each slice with a melon baller, leaving a cucumber bowl.

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the Mediterranean salad into the cucumber cups. Garnish with additional herbs and olive oil as desired and enjoy!Cucumber Bites

Eat Fresh. xx