Tag: wellness

Crunchy Af Asian Persuasion Farmers Market Salad

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Summer is made for salads…at least for the two of us. With the fluctuating and confusing weather going from hot to crazy hot to randomly Fall like, we’ve kept it simple. Basically, less cooked foods besides the occasional roasted veg that happens on those below 70 degree days. I mean, I’m going to have my roasted sweet potato because that crunchiness is not replicated on the stovetop. It’s not the same!!!

To get creative and eat outside the box, salads have become entire meals loaded with everything you could possibly need. Protein, check. Healthy fats, check. Crunchy things, check. Greens, check. Delicious dressing, check check and check. Basically any REAAAAALLLY good salad needs at least something crunchy, creamy, salty, sweet and it needs a really freakin good dressing. It’s a must!

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Hubby and I really love that miso ginger dressing that coats every crevice of lettuce at a sushi spot or Hibachi grill. Besides the actually hibachi veggies, the starter salad is WHERE IT’S AT!

If you don’t feel like making your dressing (it’s okay, this is normal human-ness, sometimes I’m lazy af too), there is a creamy miso ginger dressing over by the sushi section at Whole Foods (it’s so damn good). It’s going to run you about 5-6 bucks but it’s worth it if you’re feeling lazy. Or you can give that Newman’s branded sesame ginger dressing a shot. Easy to find. Easy on that budget too 😉

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Farmers Market Goddess Salad

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Summer is in full swing the moment you start to see peaches. Last year we suffered a bit over here in NYC. There were some Jersey peaches but New York State did not get blessed with the juiciness of peaches. It almost felt like it wasn’t quite summer but I didn’t really notice, I was in the midst of wedding planning. This summer I’m giddy and just full blown ecstatic about the arrival of peaches, plums and nectarines. And my friends, they are juicy and ready for your salads and salsas.

I haven’t really gotten creative in the kitchen lately. I’ve been fine with making similar things over and over – if it can be made into a taco I’m going to have it (Siete foods has an amazing Almond Flour tortilla, gluten free AND vegan).   But the emergence of peaches inspires me to experiment a bit  I’m trying to push the envelope with food combos.

Peach and corn are an awesome combo, same with peach and blueberry, peach and tomato even, but I really haven’t gone beyond until this amazing salad.

I kid you not my husband Matt practically inhaled this salad- I even got the happy grumble in between each bite (if that’s what we’re calling it).  I’d call that WINNING!

This salad has everything the farmers market has to offer in the summer: heirloom tomatoes, blueberries, micro greens, fresh peaches, cucumbers, fresh sheeps milk feta. I, of course, add in a few extra things to make it a filling, nourishing salad.

So, what are you waiting for? Get off your butt, go to the farmers market and eat this salad for days and feel awesome!

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Very Cherry Coconut Smoothie {Hydrate yo self}

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After nearly a 2 month hiatus, I’m back ya’ll. It’s hard not to feel guilty for not being consistent posting on the blog but I’m trying not to make this a “chore.” Cooking is not a chore for me and neither is sharing my recipes. I want this to be fun, enjoyable and share some random stories I have for you. I have intentionally created time and space (I got da power!) for, well, recipe creation. I’ve been focusing on simplifying my life even though it seems there are more things filling the space from the things I’ve released. Does that make sense?

Okay, I’ll explain teehee. I recently resigned from my job as a nutrition educator at an elementary school. Around the same time (like less than a month ago) I started my work as a Doula (a birth worker, advocate for mamas) and now I’m working towards completing requirements for certification. I get to nerd out on everything about prenatal, birth and postpartum care. I’m literally reading ALL the time and have hit up the library weekly for books on books on books. While researching up the wazoo (as my husband would say), I’m finding different ways to tie all my passions together. Writing. Cooking. Holistic Wellness. Self Care. Birth. I mean, who said we have to CHOOSE ONE THING. We can do it all without having to do it all, right?

Anywhoooo…even while my brain is on overload, I’m ready for a summer of adventures (and hopefully some births, if ya’ll need a doula holler over here). After a week of weird October feeling weather, it finally feels like June and that heat, is absolutely delicious. Any other heat lovers out there? Or am I alone?

A common theme for me in the glorious heat is to sip on smoothies. I’m really not too big on heavy eating when it’s hot, so anything slurpable and grabable (yes I just made up 2 words) is da bomb dot com. And I don’t know about you but I like things that taste good and keep me feeling AMAZEBALLS as I attempt to get shit done. AMIRIGHT?! lol

Fresh strawberries (they’re in season right now and so damn good) combined with dark sweet cherries and coconut butter, this very cherry coconut smoothie is cooling, hydrating and rejuvenating with high antioxidants (from the berries, YAAAS) collagen (check out Further Food, Vital Proteins or Reserveage), and healthy fats for a gorgeous glow from the inside out.

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5 Ways to Kick Cold + Flu Season’s A** {When You’ve Done EVERYTHING + You’re FED UP}

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Okay seriously guys and gals, cold and flu season is here with a vengeance.

I don’t know whether me working with children OR working outside on Saturday’s at the farmer’s market is messing with my system, but homegirl is really feelin’ it. From the random 60 degree days to the re-damn-diculous 11 degree snowy, rainy shiz, my body is like HELLLOOO what is going on. Anyone else in the Northeast going through this right now?

This is the thing that pisses me off (and I mean this in the most self-loving and self-affirming way possible), I take really good care of myself.

So how in the heck do I manage to have my sinuses act the heck up, nose running, throat tickly with some serious body soreness (and I’m not talking about the kind following working out) after doing all the “right” things? I’m sure you know I’m big on not consuming sugar, gluten, I’ve drastically cut down caffeine and I am off of coffee. I supplement regularly, drink Kombucha, eat fermented things, load my body up with nourishing, delicious foods. So, WHAT DA HECK?!

I had a few moments catching myself feeling a bit disappointed or betrayed by my body. But really, my body knows exactly what it needs. And apparently, it needs lots of cozy time to make up for all the cold weather and lots of soups.

I refuse to take any over the counter stuff because let’s face it, it just masks the symptoms and I would have to do some major overhauling of my system to get it back to a loving and nourished place.

So to keep me sane and for you to hopefully share this goodness with yo fams and peeps, here are my 5 tips for kicking this cold and flu bullsh*t’s a** while giving your body some major TLC.

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3 Super powered Elixirs for Holiday Sippin’

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This has been the week of, “I need to just sleep for an entire week,” but I can’t really do that, not just yet.

Once my alarm goes off, I look at it, annoyed that it disturbed me. I have a pretty energized day, I sleep like a log but when I wake up…argh. I would much rather be swaddled in my fuzzy blankets.

It just seems like I’m extra sensitive in the cold weather. I’m not my normal bubbly self, I move more slowly, I need more sleep and I become a couch potato (but only in the evening, after working).

My desire to things is THERE but not fully THERE. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in self-care and tenderness.

I don’t know about you, but one of the things I enjoy about the winter (which to be honest is not much) are the hot beverages. I LOOOOOOVE hot cocoa and hot frothy chai lattes. Everything hot hot hot. But let’s face it, most of the stuff we’re buying (I’m talking to you Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks) is not all it’s cracked up to be.

I want the comfort of the beverages but with shit that not only tastes good but makes me feel good. I’m all about feeling BLISSED out.

These are my three favorite super powered hot dranks for the sippin’. The hot cocoa and golden milk are PERFECT before going to bed!

In case you need convincing, I have the list of benefits for each sexy elixir right here 😉

Cardamom has pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory effects in addition to aiding in digestion and preventing gastrointestinal discomfort.

Pepper aids in increasing circulation, improving the immune system, healing respiratory issues and helps better absorb nutrients.

Cinnamon. According to the yogi this tea is named after, Yogi Bhajan shares that  cinnamon is one of the most stimulating, heating spices there is. It promotes agni, the fire element, which enhances vitality.  It helps  digestion and the whole metabolism. And come on, it SMELLS SO GOOD!

Cloves balance the air element, which relates to the nervous system. It’s great for healthy digestion while also acting as a natural aphrodisiac 😉

 

Ginger  helps keeps the body warm, which is EVER SO IMPORTANT DURING THE WINTER! It fires up the digestive juices while soothing inflammation.

Turmeric offers many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It’s a superfood in itself and a staple in all Indian homes (and those of you who are partial to curries). It relaxes the muscles and eases joint pain, and helps you drift into a nice deep sleep when paired with warm milk. Oh yes. You will sleep like a baby.

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