Focus Forward Friday: Eat (or Don't) Before Class

Photo via A Clock Without Hands.

Focus Forward Friday: 

A weekly ritual for deepening your practice.

Today's focus: eating well. What do you eat before class, yogis? Do you have any special foods that go well with a Bikram class, or Vinyasa flow, or yin yoga?

Do you change your eating patterns depending on what style you're about to practice?

I find that what I eat and drink before a yoga class makes a huge difference. For example: no heavy foods for at least 3 hours up to a Bikram class. I usually stick with fruit, maybe a granola bar or yogurt or piece of cheese if I'm starving within the hour of class.

Drinking tons of water and coconut water (plus YogaEarth!) always helps me stay hydrated in the heat, too.

What do you like to eat and drink before yoga? I'm guessing no clam chowder... but that photo looked too tasty not to share :) Makes me miss San Francisco and the Wharf!


Happy Friday, all.

Photos via A Vagabond Bond.

Clinking

From this lovely blog.

Anyone else for a pastry and tasty drink break? 

Sometimes I imagine myself somewhere fancy, where soft light is streaming in the windows and there are only the sounds of a far-off fireplace -- flames dancing, wandering around the wood -- and the soft clinking of silverware on fine ceramic, glasses clipping the saucers they're held on, evidence of people gathered together, sitting alone in a full room.

Smart Shopping: Grocery Time

 Photos via Orangette.

Hey all! As part of the Beyond Childhood series, I'd like to offer a few posts on healthy eating and simplifying your work in the kitchen. First up is a guest post from the lovely blogger Marci Gilbert on how to plan ahead for your grocery shopping to make sure you get the most for your money and your time.


Enjoy! And enjoy the calm, peaceful feeling of having your meals ready to go all week. It will give you more time for your yoga or other projects you have going on.

Photo via Trevor Dye of Yogi Uprising.

Marci is totally right about the awesomeness of cooking on the weekend, and then refrigerating or freezing meals ahead of time. I've been doing this lately and it makes life so much easier! You just come home from work and heat up whatever you're having. Easy peasy!

From Marci:


One of my favorite parts of the week is going to the grocery store on Sundays. I try to get all my shopping done for the week in one day, and here are some tips of how I do it. It does involve planning, but not to the extent that I write down five days of dinner menus.
A little background–I only have to feed two people, and my husband eats lunch out, and some dinners out too. When planning and buying, I pay attention to expiration dates or overbuying so things won’t spoil.


How to get your grocery shopping done in one day for one week:
1. Have an old-fashioned list. I keep a list going all the time in the kitchen. Make sure you add things that you run out of right when you run out of it! Jot down new foods to try from things you read. Then at the grocery, stick to your list. It will keep you from overbuying. However, there are some days when I like to browse the aisles and look for new things to try, or produce that is in season.


2. Think about your week. Do you already have plans to eat out? Are you packing your breakfast every morning or will you have time to eat at home? Same with lunch. For me, I always pack breakfast and a snack, and my lunches are similar within a week. Keeping lunches similar keeps your grocery bill down. Buy a bag of cherries one week and then mixed berries the next. Use pantry items to change it up, like buy turkey, and alternate in tuna or beans for salad protein.


3. Get to know your grocery store. The annoying part of wanting certain brands or fresher produce is going to multiple grocery stores. However, I can be in and out of a grocery quickly because I know where things are and what each store may or may not carry.


4. If you go to multiple grocery stores, go to the one that will be cheaper first. By this I mean that I will look for produce at an everyday type store before Whole Foods because I know it will be cheaper. If the quality is poor at Store #1, I’ll get it at Whole Foods.

 Photo via Orangette.

5. Use Costco! (or any big box store). My weekly trips to the grocery are for what we need for the week. We leave our cleaning supplies, some freezer items, dry snacks, and waters to buy in bulk every 6 weeks or so.


6. Plan to make use of your Sunday afternoon. Every Sunday, I hard-boil 6 eggs–to use for breakfast or chopped into tuna salad or on a salad. Sometimes I bake chicken to have for a few days. Sometimes I bake muffins to freeze for breakfast. And then I make dinner for Sunday night with plans to have leftovers for Monday lunch or Monday night. Or if I make chicken, I will use it in a different way during the week.


7. Planning a basic dinner: It doesn’t always have to be about creating a recipe! You just need things on hand to satisfy the carb-protein-vegetable ratio, in my opinion. For instance, sweet potatoes, vegetables to roast (brussels sprouts, broccoli, squash, zucchini, mixed peppers) can always be paired with canned baked beans, 90-second rice, grilled chicken or your protein of choice for a well-rounded meal. I eat more exciting than that a lot of the time, but sometimes that is good enough.

Photo via Emily at JoJoNoodle. She and Jordan are always making beautiful, simple meals.

8. The freezer is for more than ice cream and ice. Use your freezer to store baked goods, then defrost in the refrigerator overnight for breakfast. You can cook soups ahead and defrost before work for dinner that night, and let meats thaw all day. Planning is the hard part. If you make the decisions ahead of time, all that’s left is to execute when you get home at night.


Welcome to the world of extreme wifey-hood! (Or motherhood, womanhood, manhood, adulthood: however you'd like to apply this great knowledge.) May your week night dinners never be the same!


And a big thanks again to Marci for sharing the post. :) Check out more of her recipes here.


PS Want to check out more in the Beyond Childhood series? Try this post on bellies, or this one on adorable handmade toys. Or read more about why I started the series.

YogaEarth: Supplement Yourself with Balance & Vitality

All photo illustrations via YogaEarth.

I'm in love. YogaEarth, you are awesome. You give me an easy, tasty way to replenish electrolytes before and after class. You are delicious (especially mixed with sparkling water!).


You make me feel balanced, strong, ready.


You're the perfect way to give myself an extra boost before class, especially on those days when it's been a while since I was in the hot room... and I'm a little nervous to go back.


Like today.


See, I didn't mean for there to be a whole week since I last did my Bikram. Really, I didn't! And I promise I put in a few at-home practices since then.


I even taught a workshop! But that wasn't in a room at 105 degrees, 40% humidity. And now my body has to readjust. Again. (Sound familiar?)


Thankfully, there's a supplement to save us all. Try some YogaEarth, yogis. You won't regret it.


PS: YogaEarth is good for you, all the time. Even if you're not yoga-ing! The two awesome flavors help with digestion, provide energy, and eliminate cravings. They pack a five-star punch!

PPS: Sponsored yogis, you'll be getting some samples soon :) Get excited!

It's Crepe Time! (Almost)

Photo via 101 Cookbooks. May have to use their crepe recipe too!

I'm super excited about an upcoming review I'm going to do for CSN Stores, an awesome site that features a huge variety of kitchen products, house wares and decorations, and these cool Herman Miller chairs I keep hearing about.


Anyway, I just wanted to give you a heads up because CSN is sending me a crepe maker and I'm totally going to do a fun brunch with friends, or breakfast in bed for the Hubs, or something equally as lovely.


Keep your eyes out for amazing breakfasts here. (And if you have a crepe recipe you love, please do share!)

Healthy Lifestyles Workshop from Heaven Meets Earth Yoga Studio in Evanston

Ashley, a friend of mine and an amazing yoga teacher at Heaven Meets Earth, is teaching a workshop on healthy lifestyles, weight loss, and mindful exercise and eating.


If you're in Evanston or the Chicago area, consider attending!

Healthy Yoga Body

with Ashley Moran

6 Week Monday night series 

Mondays 7:30-9pm, January 3-February 7.

Starts tonight!

Photo via Heaven Meets Earth.

 Please feel free to share with friends you know who are always dieting or who could use a boost in their body image and self-confidence.


A few details:

Whether you want to lose weight, detoxify your body, or learn more about the ancient art and science of Ayurveda, this class is for you!


Healthy Yoga Body is a mindful approach to weight loss through yoga and the Ayurvedic lifestyle.

Photo via Heaven Meets Earth.

We will explore the basics of Ayurveda, the doshas (body types), and identify appropriate foods and exercises for your type. You will learn how to create a personalized home yoga practice and a community of support. Discover how mindfulness can transform your relationship with food.

Each class will include a lecture, yoga practice, and meditation. Students will leave class every week with amazing resources --delicious, healthy recipes and short mindfulness exercises to support your efforts during the week.

Cost: $120 for six-week series. Beginners welcome! No yoga experience necessary.

Materials: This class will reference texts “Yoga Body Diet” by Kristen Schultz Dollard and John Douillard and “Eating Mindfully” by Susan Albers, psy.d. These books are fantastic resources for your body/mind transformation!

Ashley Moran, CYT, was inspired to create Healthy Yoga Body community after taking a Yoga and Ayurveda workshop with John Douillard. 


Register at Heaven Meets Earth or call 847-475-1500.

Photo via Yoga Journal of a Not Very Calm Character.

Beards, Adventures and Chocolate

The Mast Brothers from The Scout on Vimeo.

Just found this video via Honest Fare, one of my favorite food bloggers, and had to share. These guys could totally pass for pirates as well as chocolate makers! Plus, the Mast Brothers have a masculine strength and fascinating intellect that fits perfectly with the new Real Men Do Yoga series, I say.

Their story is beautiful, their beards impressive, and their philosophy spot-on. As one brother says, "Everything roots back to our love affair with the spirit of craft." From their chocolates to the papers that wrap them, to their restored printing press and the sailboats that carry their cocoa beans, the brothers are inspired by the handcrafted items that surround them.

Super cool chocolate makers. Photo from The Mast Brothers Facebook page.

Even more awesome: they aren't looking to produce anything en mass. It's all intricate, detailed, original. As they say, "We're looking for an inconsistent product so your taste buds are not only enjoying the sensuality of (the chocolate), but they're also learning." Every bar is its own little joy!

Chocolate with the adventurousness of a Mark Twain story. Chocolate made with adventure, curiosity, and spirit. I love it! 

Check out their Brooklyn chocolate shop, their Facebook, and their sweet blog. Hope you get a bar in your stocking!

YogaEarth: For Rainy Days & Quiet Mornings

A lovely morning in the kitchen ends with a balancing drink from YogaEarth.

The dishwasher is humming, its cyclical rinse turning over and over.


Outside, rain patters on the windows.


The day is dark, kept, soft. It is a Saturday for small moments and hushed sounds, for making soup, for curling up and chatting with friends.


It's a peaceful, quiet morning here at home. The Hubs is off on a shoot, Nick's asleep on the couch, and I'm in the kitchen, moving effortlessly between bundt cake batter and wild rice salad, simmering homemade chicken stock on the stove as I finish up the dishes.


Before pulling on my wool socks and cowboys boots to brave the rain, I mix a quick drink. YogaEarth pre-practice mix (beet, apple & acai flavor) with goji, carrot and pineapple juice. I can picture myself on the beach in Puerto Rico. Refreshing. Their products are relaxing, nutritious, effortless.

Plus, they blog about yoga here. Thanks, YogaEarth!

The Pumpkin Chronicles

Hey yogis. Happy Thursday. Today I have an important question for you, though it is a couple days late. What's the best way to use a pumpkin on Halloween? 

The answer: make a luminary, of course!

Check out our sweet holiday fireplace display from last week. Luminary light is my favorite!

My guys dressed up as... video gamers! :) Hehe. Just kiddin'. But they did enjoy a nice Saturday afternoon round of LOL.

Oh, and check out this sweet cake I made tonight:

Pumpkin spice buttermilk bundt cake! Amaaazing. I love my new World Market bundt pan, too. I have a feeling it will get some use this winter! I'm off to enjoy a slice of cake now, actually. What are you up to tonight, yogis? Would love to hear from you. Happy almost weekend!

Pie Pie Pie

At this moment, my belly is so happy and full of pie. The images tell all. Goodnight, yogis!

  

Breaking Into Healthy Breakfasts

Howdy, readers! This is yesterday's breakfast at The Other Brother cafe in Evanston, the newest endeavor by The Brothers K. The cafe is a stellar spot: beautiful, sleek, modern design. Simple. Lovely. And of course they are continuing the tradition of delicious coffee & pastries (the baked goods are brought in by another store, I believe). Located at Sherman & Grove. You should stop by and try a latte sometime soon! Those frilly frothy drinks will make you smile.

 Today? I'm juicing it up! Pictured is a recent creation featuring Hammer Nutrition WHEY powder. In this morning's mix, I threw in some of Hammer's awesome Montana Huckleberry gel as well as a myriad (read: PILE) of fresh stuff, including...

• carrot juice
• berry juice
• orange juice
• frozen banana
• frozen strawberry
• frozen blueberry
• parsley
• spinach
• flax seed (ground)

Whirl, grind, instant energy! Tasty, too. I'm thinking of doing a 7-day detox cleanse with all green juices. Just got some books to read from the library about it.

I'm pretty much turning into a health food junkie, huh? :) Hey, at least I'll be clean, balanced and ready for the heat at Teacher Training. I imagine it'd be nice to start with a clean slate while I'm heating it up in Bikram's Torture Chamber... What do you think, fall 2010 #BKTT trainees?

Happy Tuesday from the newlyweds. Hope you're juicin' it up for breakfast out there! More recipes coming soon. And for those of you who are still passionate about eating cupcakes and other treats, try Ming Makes Cupcakes. A beautiful site!

A Killer Frying Pan: Thanks, CSN Stores!

Once upon a time, a lady got married. She was so, so happy with her new Hubsband in their beautiful apartment.


She loved the clean, bright, peaceful atmosphere of the kitchen. It made her want to cook new and delicious dishes with fresh ingredients and exotic flavors.


She was so thrilled to try out new recipes from her lovely bridesmaids, moms, and friends who attended her Bridal Shower and brought handwritten recipe cards to share.


One morning, she discovered the perfect dish: tagliani primavera. A creamy noodle, ham and vegetable dish featuring some of her favorites. Fresh asparagus. Smoked prosciutto. Real whipping cream. Heaven!


She knew she had to make it. But what cookware would she use?


Ah! The perfect frying pan! A beautiful red pan that would fit the ingredients just right. The generously-gifted sample product from CSN Stores! It was meant to be.

She donned her new kitchen apron and set to work.

She cooked. She smiled. She smelled. She tasted! YUM.

A more serious note about the pan, fairytales aside :)


This Trimmer Gourmet Chef 10" x 10" pan is a stellar product. Top-notch, beautifully made, lovely color. Keeps heat even and thorough while you're cooking on the stove, and the coating was in premium condition to keep anything from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Many thanks to CSN Stores for carrying this and hundreds of other awesome products for your home. And for having a wonderful staff of extremely helpful and responsive people!


The size is great for working with large dishes. In fact, I probably could not have made this recipe without it!


Also note: the photos don't accurately capture the gorgeous thunderstorm I could hear in the distance, the quiet fall of rain outside the window, or the awesome Phil Collins songs I was blasting while I paraded around the kitchen.


It was love, pure love. What are you cooking lately?


Here's the recipe for you to try if you like. Thanks to my stepmom for sharing it!


Tagliarini Primavera


1/2 lb asparagus, cut diagonally into 1 inch lengths
1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced
1/4 c slivered prosciutto
1/4 butter or margarine
1 med carrot, sliced thin
1 med zucchini, diced
8 oz. thin noodles
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 c frozen peas, thawed
1 teaspoon dry basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of ground nutmeg and of white pepper
1/2 pint (1 cup) whipping cream
1/4 c Parmesan
fresh chopped parsley
*Note: I also added fresh spinach to the mix, about 3/4 cup. Also, I suggest using the rest of the whipping cream to make homemade whipped cream to go on a pie or ice cream. The Hubs and I enjoyed this a few days later and it was amazing!


Melt butter in frying pan, sauté mushrooms, prosciutto, asparagus, carrot and zucchini. Cook 3 minutes.
Boil water for noodles and prepare per package directions. To vegetable mixture, add green onion, peas, basil, salt, nutmeg, pepper and cream. Cook on medium-high until mixture boils and forms shiny bubbles. Pour sauce over noodles, lift and mix gently until coated with sauce. Add Parmesan and mix again. Top with fresh parsley. Yields 4-6 servings.

Eat with a pineapple VitaCoco and you'll be completely re-charged after Bikram class!

A Guest Post from MissFitBliss: Bikram Stew!

As the weather shifts toward cooler temperatures, it's time to break out the fuzzy slippers and make a yummy pot of stew. Now you have the chance!

Joslyn over at Miss Fit Bliss was kind enough to share a delicious recipe here at Alive in the Fire. She's a fantastic blogger, talented and active lady, and passionate about her Bikram. And about keeping her body well-fueled before and after workouts!

Thanks, Joslyn, for your awesome post. I'll be making some soon!

You stew in the heat. Why not stew on this?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Joslyn, star blogger at Miss Fit Bliss

Rachel and I both share a love of Bikram yoga, so it makes sense that we would begin to contribute to each others’ blogs. Like me and other hot yoga addicts, Rachel understands the complexities involved in nourishing the body while keeping up a frequent yoga practice.

It may seem counter-intuitive at first, but there’s nothing more satisfying than a nourishing bowl of protein-laden soup after hot yoga to keep hydrated and energized. Soups are one of my favorite dishes to make once the temperature begins to drop, and this one is on my list of classics.

Start with about 15-20 baby carrots and chop them up. Or just use 2 large carrots and chop them up.

Take about 3 to 4 stalks of celery and chop them up.

Take a large potato and chop it up.

Toss all the chopped goods in a pot.

And add 2 cups of presoaked lentils. Green or brown, whichever kind is cheapest. By presoaked I mean just immerse 2 cups of dry lentils in water while you chop all your carrots, celery, and potato.

Now pour water over the top of the pre-soaked lentils and chopped vegetables.

Place the pot on the stove.

Cover the pot with a lid. Bring soup to a boil and then simmer on medium or low for about 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes, stir the soup.

Now take the black pepper and season to taste. Do the same with the salt.

Chop the 4 cloves of garlic very finely and sauté in a pan with about 2 teaspoons of olive oil.

Pour the garlic and olive oil over the entire pot of lentil soup. Stir and serve in bowls. It looks simple but it is delicious. And leftovers are even better. I suggest making a big pot of this over the weekend and enjoying the leftovers throughout the week.

Stew it up, yogis! And read more here at Joslyn's rockin' blog.