Cauliflower and Kimchi “fried rice”

Now I love carbs and I am not afraid of them, but sometimes it’s good to switch it up. This “pretend” rice is so delicious and packed fill of nutrients, it’s gluten free and vegan and that won’t leave you feeling heavy. Can be served alone as a main dish or as a side.

Cauliflower contains phyochemicals and anticancer compounds which makes it and other cruciferous vegetables a great liver detoxifier, it’s great to add to your regular diet to help detoxify and eliminate harmful chemicals and hormones and to keep the liver in good health.

Kimchi is a fermented food which has natural probiotic properties, this is amazing to keep the gut flora in your body healthy and to rid the system of any harmful flora. Helps to regulate hormones, improves digestion, lowers cholesterol and boosts immune system.

I head of Cauliflower cut into small enough pieces t put in food processor, pulse into small pieces. Heat up 2tbsp of safflower oil and 2 tsp of seasame oil in a large sauté pan or wok. Add a small bunch of Chopped lacinato Kale and Cauliflower to heated oil. Stir and sauté until Kale is wilted and cauliflower begins to brown (about 3-5 mins) While that is cooking chop up two scallions (green onion) about a cup of Kimchi ( spicy or mild) and about 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro. Mix these remaining ingredients into the pan along with 3 tbsp of tamari. Add any more seasoning to taste and enjoy! Prep and cook time 30 mins!

Creamy Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

This is such a yummy breakfast or an anytime snack. Chia seeds have become a popular superfood. They are rich in fiber, omega-3 fats, protein, vitamins and minerals. They are also a rich source of antioxidants. Great for digestive health due to fiber content. Great for your skin because of the antioxidant properties. Can help regulate cholesterol and lower blood pressure. Can lower insulin resistance which makes them great in treating diabetes. Energy booster and speed up metabolism. High in calcium so good for your bones and help build muscle a great source of plant based protein. Because of the ALA they can help fight against cancer harming cells. Mineral rich which is great for dental health.

 

This is is a super quick and easy recipe that you can do at night and it will be ready for you in the morning.

Mix together until chia seeds are blended well. 1 can coconut milk,  4 Tbsp chia seeds, 2 Tsp, Vanilla extract, 1 Tbsp maple syrup

Pour into containers, fill half way, add any fruit or topping then continue to fill containers, leaving room on top to add more toppings to top. Can add, fruit, berries, cacao nibs, coconut flakes, cinnamon, cacao powder, nut butters, etc…

Refridgerate overnight and walah!

Veggilicious

Veggies, veggies and more veggies. Protein and healthy carb packed. Don’t be afraid of carbs, I love carbs and I eat a ton of them. You just have to have the right balance and know which ones to eat more and which ones to enjoy without overdoing. You need carbs for energy, to balance glucose and insulin intake, fiber and aids in digestion. The brain needs carbs, especially if your blood sugars are low, it means you are not getting enough energy to the brain. It’s important to minimize simple sugars, such as milk and sweeteners  and eat plenty of complex carbohydrates, such as veggies, beans, legumes. I love making my bowls with different ancient grains, which are easier to digest for people with gluten intolerance than modern wheat. I eat sweet potatoes almost every day.

One thing to keep in mind though is that you need to use the energy from the carbs, exercise everyday, move your body. If you don’t use the energy carbs will be stored as fat.

 

Season  1 package of unfermented organic tofu sliced in 1 inch cubes with miso, garlic, green onion, sesame oil and rice wine vinegar, bake on a cookie sheet for 45 mins at 200 degrees. Turn half way through cooking.

While this is cooking you can start the grains. I used black rice and farro in this recipe. Add water about an inch above 1 cup of grain bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about a half hour.

Sauté sweet onions until almost carmelized, add garlic continue to sauté. Cut up 2 med Yukon potatoes and 1 large sweet potato, season and toss with a little olive oil. Roast potatoes for about 25-30 mins a 375. Season and sauté wild mushrooms, asparagus and kale all separately.

Layer it all up, rice on bottom then add veggies, and tofu, slice avocado on top and enjoy.

Feel Good Food

I ate vegan pizza 3 nights in a row this weekend. Don’t judge me. Not mad about, not one bit. Why? Because 1. I’ve discovered a new love for pizza, 2. Because cashew cheese, yes please, and because 3.  I’m trying to gain weight and I don’t give AF. I put what I want in my body without guilt and I enjoy it more, which in turn causes less cravings for things that maybe I shouldn’t eat so often. Ok, ok no I don’t make a habit of eating pizza 3 times a week on a regular basis, but when I do I am  going to enjoy it to the fullest and that’s exactly what I did.

So today I felt like making some feel good food. Most feel good food I can think of is Soup. So I made a Vegan Tuscan White Bean and Kale Soup with Sourdough bread.  YUMMMMMMM! Even Kala had some that I mixed with her food, she licked the bowl clean, all but the Kale:/ Baby girl don’t like her greens I guess. Super easy to make.

Chop up 4 cloves of garlic put in pan with some olive oil, sautéed on low heat, put in large 6qt pot. Cut up 1 medium sweet pot and 3 Yukon golds into 1/4 inch squares, cut up 2 stalks of celery, put in pot mix up season with sea salt, pepper, oregano and coriander. Sautéed in pot for about 10 mins. Add 2-3 cans on white cannelloni beans and 4 cups of vegetable broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Then cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook for about 10 mins or until potatoes are cooked through. Add 1 bundle of kale torn up into smallish pieces, cook till wilted. About 2 mins. Top with sun dried tomatoes and serve with soft sourdough bread to soak up the yummy goodness.

Sourdough is prob my favorite bread to eat guilt free. It has good bacteria, its easier to digest, has natural preservatives, good for blood glucose regulation, and better absorption of vitamins and minerals. So eat more bread!

Bowls all Day Everyday

Hands down Pitaya/Acai/Fruit bowls are probably one of my all time favorite things to eat. I seriously could eat them all day everyday. They are super delicious and nutritious! It is also a guilt free sweet treat for when you are having those sweet tooth cravings.

The Pitaya Cactus, otherwise known as the Dragonfruit is considered a Superfruit, originally native to Mexico, transported to Central America and Europe and cultivated in SE Asia, The US (including right here in the Sonoran Desert) Israel, Australia, Cyprus and the Canary Islands. It has the texture of a kiwi with tiny, crunchy black seeds inside, flavor is mildly sweet and nutty.

It is considered a Superfruit for its high antioxidant content, fights free radicals, protecting cells, protects against heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Great source of Iron which carries oxygen to the entire body and vital for brain and muscle function. High in fiber, which aids in digestion, helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and controls blood sugar levels, and lowers cholesterol levels. Rich in Magnesium to increase energy, helps to regulate Sodium, Potassium and Calcium levels. Also helps relax muscles, nerves and anxiety, which leads to better sleep and muscle recovery.

Pitaya Bowl
1 cup Almond milk
1 scoop Vanilla (Nutrasuma Vegan Protein)
1 pack frozen Pitaya 
1 cup frozen pineapple 
1 banana (save 1/2 for topping)
2 tablespoons of almond butter (save 1 for topping)
Toppings
Fresh Fruit
Coconut Flakes
Shaved Almonds
Almond Butter
Cacao Nibs

Is the Work ever Done?

A most common misconception of a yogi is that we are always, at peace, joyful, calm, cool and collected. Mmmeeeeeep! Wrong! We are all human, going through the same experiences, trying to get by one day at a time. The more we work through the practice the more layers are unveiled and the more work we discover we have to do.  But is it really about doing more work? Or is it about connecting deeper with yourself that the hidden fragments of yourself begin to reveal themselves. We begin to discover that maybe everything isn’t always warm and fuzzy.

I had an experience the other night that revealed the not so calm and collected side of me. I came home after teaching an evening class to discover my sink had been overflowing due to a clog in the city line, it was overflowing and beginning to go into the living room. I panicked, not really knowing what to do. I picked up the phone and called the emergency line. I know the maintenance guy well and he is the nicest guy ever. After he told me that they would call the plumber but didn’t know how long it would be for them to come, I lost my cool, I raised my voice and probably said some things that were unnecessary to get my point across. I lost sense of the fact that it was 11 in the evening, he had been sleeping and who knows how soon a plumber could get there. It was all about me. I became selfish and was only concerned with my own needs. Luckily the water had stopped so at this point all I could do was wait. I soaked up as much of the water as I could with every towel that I own and I decided to lay down.

As I laid in bed I started to reflect on my reaction and my behavior. I did not stop and breathe, I instantly reacted when I should have tried to calm myself before even picking up the phone. So then I started to beat myself up for my behavior and how I spoke to the maintenance guy. “You’re better than that, you know not to react so quickly, what is wrong with you? ” I fell asleep feeling pretty crappy about myself.

The next morning I woke up and decided to forgive myself. I realized that I have grown so much in the past few years and had the same thing happened several years ago my behavior would have been my reaction last night tenfold. I am doing the best I can and sometimes we are given tests to show us where we are and that we still have more to be revealed to us. But the biggest reminder is that I am perfectly imperfect just the way I am. We make mistakes, we forgive and we move on and grow from them.

Today’s pose is about surrendering to what is, bowing to yourself, forgiving yourself and honoring yourself just the way you are.

Janu Sirsasana, Head to Knee Forward Fold.

Beginning in Dandasasana  or Staff pose remove flesh from underneath sits bones, bend right knee and bring into the inner left thigh. Square torso over the extended leg, by tipping the pelvis forward begin to bring torso over the extended leg, draw the right shoulder to the left and down, keep the heart lifted, straight spine, keep the extended leg foot flexed pressing the back of the thigh into the mat, reach arms forward and then allow the body to melt and surrender to sensations. Hold for for several breathes. Repeat on the other side.