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Make Ahead Breakfast: Easy Baked Frittata

I’m not a morning person. It’s hard enough for me to get up and ready and out the door, but squeezing in a healthy and nutritious breakfast is nearly impossible. However, you know what they say — breakfast is the most important meal of the day! So, over the next few weeks we are going to offer you some suggestions on healthy breakfasts that you can make ahead of time and, in some cases, ones that will stretch throughout the week.

We are starting with our Easy Baked Frittata. I make mine in a pie dish so it’s easier to divide and portion. Baking the frittata is so much easier than cooking it on the stovetop. You just pour the ingredients into a greased pie plate and pop it into the oven for approximately 20 minutes. I suggest making it on Sunday and slicing it throughout the week. Or, plan to make one when you know you will have leftovers to incorporate into the dish.

Our frittata has a few basic ingredients — eggs, milk, veggie/meat, cheese, salt and pepper. The picture you see to the right is made with leftover roasted vegetables and goat cheese. One of my favorite versions incorporates leftover roasted potatoes and onions and parmigiano-reggiano cheese. You can nix the cheese altogether and throw in more veggies. You can also add meat to the frittata. At the end of the day, you can really modify the frittata to your liking but the point is that you are making it in advance — and hopefully getting rid of leftovers in the process!

Additionally, a frittata is not only something you can enjoy for breakfast. It can be eaten for lunch or dinner alongside soup, such as our Roasted Potato Leek Soup, or alongside salad, such as our Shaved Fennel Salad.

Easy Baked Frittata
Yields 8 slices

8 large eggs
1/4 cup of milk
1/3 cup of cheese
1 cup of veggies (or meat)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In the meantime, grease a 9 inch pie plate. Beat eggs and milk until thoroughly combined. Add cheese, veggies and/or meat, salt and pepper. Mix until incorporated and pour into the prepared pie plate. Bake in the oven 15-20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Helpful hint: We used a ceramic pie plate. Cooking times may vary depending on what your pie plate is made out of — metal or glass may take more or less time.

September 12, 2014
Q&A with Laura: Part 2

Continuing on! Here are some more questions that you asked me to answer!

@dana_nicole11: What steps did you take to become a yoga instructor?

It took a long time for me to finally have the balls to do my teacher training. I am a very shy person when it comes to public speaking. Suffering from TMJ (Temporomandibular joint dysfunction) for most of my life, I am very self conscious of the way I speak. It really was the inspiration from Instagram and my followers that finally pushed me to get certified to teach last year. As far as steps? Grow your yoga practice and seek out a teacher/school that fits your style. YTT is expensive but it’s totally worth it if that is the path you want to take. Good luck!

@ewer_rosalind: How do you get balance when doing a handstand? Would you please post a basic pose to do a handstand?

Check out my articles on this subject HERE.

@lesleyacooper: How do you balance being a wife, a mommy, a job, a yoga practice, yoga classes, plus all the other things you do?

I would love to say that this is easy…but it is not! I either wake up early to get my yoga practice in or do it with the hubby after the kids go to bed. I am a very laid back person, so honestly…I usually just go with the flow.

@itiajones: How long did it take you to become a certified teacher?

My YTT was a bit different than most…My teachers were very flexible when it came to working around my schedule. All in all though, it took about five months to complete my 200 hour certification.

@stephaniejnsn: I want to self teach, where should I start?

When I wanted to grow my at home practice, I bought some DVDs. Nowadays there are some awesome online websites for classes. We will also be releasing classes soon…so stay tuned!

@theyogaichef: I would like to know about your diet…

Already answered this in my last post…but in short, I am not vegetarian or vegan. I eat everything in moderation.

@julieannnie: Did you still practice yoga when you were pregnant?

I did prenatal yoga once or twice a week. I did not have the practice I have now when I was pregnant.

@yogafanatic: When are you practicing yoga? Evening or morning? What type of yoga do you practice? Do you have another job or are you a full time yoga teacher?

I prefer to practice in the morning…sometimes it doesn’t happen, so then I will do it at night. I mainly practice Vinyasa flow. Currently, I work part time for a software company, but I am slowly transitioning to a full time yoga career.

@franziiiii001: Do you dance ballet?

No. Never danced. I only practiced gymnastics.

@vianagels: When are you coming to Amsterdam, Holland?

Um…Whenever you’ll have me!

@malgiac: What other forms of exercise do you regularly do? Is most of your strength training done through yoga? Or do you do other forms of exercise to help with your yoga poses?

For more than two years, I have been strictly yoga. I used to lift weights and do crazy cardio which made me a different kind of strong. However, since making the leap to only do yoga…I feel like I am the strongest I have ever been.

@amandadolanyoga: Do you feel that with your increase in followers it’s put pressure on you or your practice?

Absolutely. In the early stages of my Instagram, I felt a ton of pressure to do crazy shit that I probably wasn’t ready to do yet. Nowadays, the pressure actually just helps to inspire me…to be a better yogi on the mat and off. I don’t force poses anymore…I just practice harder!

@yogalu123: Have we seen the last of your office yoga?

No, I’m still in the office part time…but we hired more people so I haven’t busted any out yet in front of them!

@breadpuddin: Best advice for yogis teaching themselves at home?

Take pics/videos to check your alignment. Be patient and mindful because you do not want to injure yourself. Make it a point to seek out an actual class a few times too to get some hands on experience!

@dat_panoramic_dude: What’s your horoscope?

I’m a Gemini…on the cusp with Taurus. So I’m a stubborn psycho! LOL

@trinitysantosha: How do you incorporate your mini into your regular practice?

Usually I just start playing around, and she joins me in a few things. She’s four so her attention span is still…um…short. LOL

@jezreelfaith: I’m 24. Is it late to start making a goal of flexibility through yoga?

UM…You’re a young buck compared to me! So nope! It’s never too late!!

@jooleeeah: What do all the terms mean? (Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Bikram, etc.) As a beginner, how can I choose the right yoga path for me? What apps do you use to edit your photos/speed up your videos?

The terms you mentioned are just different types of yoga. Traditional Ashtanga and Bikram are set sequences you practice…Vinyasa is more flexible in terms of flows. The only way you can choose which one works for you is to try them all out!

For photos, I use Snapseed and PS Express. For videos, I use iMovie.

@alfreulicesto: How did your little one start doing yoga with you? Did she want to do it or did you include her?

She started because she saw me doing it everyday! Kids are very receptive and learn quickly… so it wasn’t a huge leap for her to start trying to “be like mommy”. Kids copy what they see…

@lydiamakokha: What has been a recent difficult experience you’ve had to face and how did you get through it?

A recent difficult experience…hmm…probably filming yoga classes. I’m extremely shy in front of a camera. I got through it by just being brave and doing it. LOL

@queenjanette: Have you ever taught in the San Jose/ San Fran area? Would you come if I can organize a group?

I’ve never been to Cali yet…It’s on my list for next year!

@yogadaisuki04: What would you recommend a complete beginner to do in order to improve their flexibility and strength?

Practice every day! You will only get more flexible with a consistent practice. Of course genetics plays a part with how your body may be built…but you will definitely see progress no matter how much you think genetics is against you.

@minnich29: Any suggestions on overcoming the fear of headstands after having upper cervical spine issues?

I would definitely recommend seeking out a really good yoga teacher to guide you in your attempts. Someone you can trust and who knows the correct alignment for headstands. In supported headstand, most of the pressure should be in your forearms, not your head… keep that in mind when you practice them!

@mumblesofabumble: How do I break from following videos to building my own flows?

Honestly? It just takes experience and taking A LOT of different classes. Eventually it’s just second nature to the different poses you can build on from a posture.

@arielle_fischer: What motivated you (before IG) to practice daily?

I decided to start working out daily in 2003 when I got engaged…So having a daily fitness routine has been something I’ve been doing for over a decade now. It’s become such an integral part of my day that I’m just used to doing it daily.

@mamomalley: What is the most challenging thing you have found with parenting and if you could go back in time, what would you tell your 20 year old self now that you are older and wiser and more worldly?

The most challenging thing I have found with parenting is having patience sometimes. LOL. I definitely have some days where I need to stop myself from yelling my head off at the minis when they are misbehaving!

I would tell my 20 year old self to have more confidence…I lacked that when I was younger.

@nekokai: How do you get into the no hands headstand?

It’s simply a pop up or clap. I don’t recommend even trying this until you have a very solid headstand practice. Even then…be very careful.

@chelseakyann: How often do you work on flexibility and how often do you work on strength?

To me…they are one in the same. During my daily yoga practice, I include both.

@luvdoggies: Do tight hips, groin and spine ever improve with regular practice? What type of mattress do you use?

Yes…flexibility will improve with a daily practice. And not sure what kind of mattress… It’s nothing special!

@choclat_beautee720: What are the best yoga moves to do to help lengthen and loosen up my hamstrings?

My faves are HERE.

@msfischh: Do you not have body hair or do you shave everywhere everyday?

LOL…UM, I shave pretty much every other day. Even if it’s longer, it wouldn’t show up in a pic from that far away!

@chapis_nbp: Is there any chance that you would make a YouTube channel to teach yoga? How many years have you practiced yoga? If I want to start yoga, what is the best advice you could give me?

I do not use YouTube but we will have classes available soon to download!

I’ve practiced yoga for about 18 years now.

My advice to you…Be patient! Try not to get frustrated…and STAY WITH IT!

XOXO

September 4, 2014
September: A Time for New Beginnings

September marks the end of the summer and generally brings with it a flurry of activity. Whether you are preparing your kids for the first day of school or preparing yourself to dive back into work, it’s a busy time of year. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, remember that September can also be invigorating. The new season brings new beginnings.

Personally, my mental calendar resets in September. Once I finish mourning the end of summer, I get back into the swing of things, ready to move forward and start fresh. I look at this time of year as an opportunity to recommit to my goals — those that fell by the wayside throughout the course of the year. So, here are a few suggestions to give September your all and to successfully move through the rest of 2014.

1. Accept where you are in the process. You may be well on your way to achieving the goals you set at the beginning of the year, or you may not have made any progress at all. Wherever you are in your goal process, accept it and move forward. Don’t beat yourself up. This month offers the opportunity to start new! Believe in yourself. Remember, it’s never too late.

2. Re-set your goals. Use this month as an opportunity to re-affirm your goals — or, possibly, adjust them. Over the course of the year, your goals may very well have changed. Take a look at where you are in your life NOW to help determine what you can achieve by the end of the year.

2. Start small. Maybe you decided to change your diet as part of your resolutions for 2014. Maybe you decided to start exercising. Maybe you decided to change your career. Maybe none of these things happened. If that’s the case, now is the time to get back on track and try to make a change. Start small. Rather than completely overhauling your diet, eliminate one unhealthy item. Rather than jumping into a daily exercise regimen, start out by exercising once a week. Rather than quitting your job, start researching new career paths. Small steps will make the path to success more manageable.

3. Make a daily “to do” list. Make a daily “to do” list to help organize your goals and the steps you can take, daily, to work towards them. Wake up each morning prepared to cross something off of your list.

4. Surround yourself with positive people. We all need a positive support system — people who build you up and encourage you to move forward. Positive energy is productive, negative energy is not. Eliminate the negative. Surround yourself with people who genuinely believe in you and support you. Friends and family that cheer you on are not just important, they are essential.

5. Track your progress. Whether you keep an old-fashioned, hand-written journal or track your success and progress on social media, being able to look back at what you’ve accomplished is exhilarating. In fact, it will motivate you to continue on a path to success, whatever that may be.

6. Take pride in your success. Remember, you are ultimately in charge of motivating yourself. So take pride in even the smallest victory. Share your success and be proud.

7. Inspire others. What better gift can we give others than inspiration? Living and succeeding by example is motivating, so share your journey with others. Your success may very well inspire someone else to achieve their goals, or to at least set themselves on a path towards achieving their goals.

September 2, 2014
7 Tips for A Restful Night and a Productive Tomorrow

Anyone who has young children realizes the importance of a bedtime routine. My kids, in particular, require a warm bath, cozy pajamas, story time, a lullabye and a prayer. If I get lazy and skip the lullabye, my younger child will get out of bed and remind me to sing. The ritual is ingrained and promotes feelings of being settled. These feelings of comfort then lead to a peaceful slumber. I’m not sure why so many adults have abandoned the idea of a bedtime routine when it’s obvious that it works so well for children! Today, I am encouraging you to bring back the bedtime routine. I am a big believer that my actions each night are essential for me to sleep well and to perform at my highest level the next day.

So…here are my suggestions to promote a restful night of sleep and a productive day tomorrow.

1. Lay out tomorrow’s exercise clothing. You have enough to do each morning without having the added task of selecting your exercise outfit. Besides—your brain may not be working quickly in the early morning hours, so take care of this task now. If you are packing a gym bag, fill it with everything you need, and put it by the door. If you are practicing yoga at home, roll out your mat and place your strap and blocks nearby. Setting out your clothes and yoga mat doesn’t guarantee that you will exercise, but it facilitates the possibility. By removing obstacles and by picking out your clothes, you are setting a much stronger intention to move your body than if you just make a soft commitment by saying “I will exercise tomorrow”.

2. Plan your breakfast. Start tomorrow on the right foot by knowing exactly how you will be fueling your body when you wake up. If you leave it all to fate, you may find yourself skipping breakfast altogether or gulping down a huge bucket of coffee with a handful of cereal. A few minutes of planning at night can make all the difference in how you start your day. Start thinking. Are you going to make a smoothie? Great! Maybe you want to wash and chop the fruits and vegetables that you plan on putting into that smoothie. If you’re really ambitious, you may even want to pre-load your blender, and refrigerate it. You can prepare as little or as much as you would like. The idea is to have a plan.

3. Count your blessings. It’s so easy to get caught up in the stress of the day and to be overwhelmed with responsibilities and thoughts of everything that went wrong. Go to bed on a positive note by setting aside a few moments to be grateful. A gratitude journal or even just a mental list of everything good in your life is a wonderful practice to begin.

4. Remove Physical Clutter. Particularly in the kitchen! No one wants to wake up in the morning and face a sink full of dishes or a breakfast table cluttered with mail and crumbs from yesterday’s dinner. Set aside 10-15 minutes to straighten up. No, I’m not asking you to pull out the vacuum or de-grease your stovetop. I’m talking about going to bed with the dishes put away, the toys off the floor, and the table/counters clear! Physical clutter weighs on the mind and the soul. Trust me, you will sleep better knowing that your house is tidy, and you will wake up feeling motivated to prepare breakfast on uncluttered, clean counters in your kitchen.

5. Remove Mental Clutter. The goal here is to clear your mind by setting tomorrow’s intentions on paper. Make a list of everything you want to accomplish tomorrow. If your mind is racing with all of the items on your to-do list, it will be difficult to fall asleep. Feel free to make your list as detailed or as simple as you would like. Personally, I love the feeling of satisfaction that I get from crossing completed items off of my to-do list, so I am happy to include very obvious tasks, such as “floss teeth” or “exercise”. Make sure to include all of your personal errands that need to be done the next day, as well as all of your work-related responsibilities/projects that need to be tackled.

6. Create a short ritual that is soothing. Everyone will have a different idea of what feels soothing, so see what works for you! My personal ritual is to brew a cup of herbal tea, rub lavender oil onto my chest, listen to soft music and get into bed with a book. Your own ritual may include journaling, meditating and a warm cup of cashew milk. Think about what makes you feel at peace, and do that.

7. Stop checking Instagram. Now you KNOW how much I love Instagram. BUT (and this is a BIG but), you can waste hours of your day and night. It’s such a wonderful escape to scroll through your feed and see beautiful photos of people you’ve never met and places you’ve never seen, but your phone and these images are stimulating. Trust me—I’ve kept myself up way past my bedtime by checking Instagram one last time. Don’t do it. It will be there tomorrow. Just go to bed. You have an empire to build in the morning.

August 24, 2014
Tomato, Peach & Watermelon Panzanella Salad

Earlier this summer my husband and I had a delicious panzanella salad at a local restaurant. Most panzanella salads incorporate tomatoes and bread; however, this version was interesting. It featured not only tomatoes but also peaches and watermelon.

It was really an unexpected combination — but so delicious. I thought I would try to re-create the salad, and I was inspired by the over-abundance of peaches in my house (from a recent peach picking trip). Panzanella salad is also a recipe I’ve been meaning to make, so I was excited to finally try my hand at it!

What I love about this salad is that it allows you to use day-old crusty bread – which I always seem to have lying around my kitchen. It also offers the chance to incorporate seasonal fruit in a new and innovative way. It’s not your typical salad — it’s like a savory fruit salad.

In addition to the fruit, it features thinly sliced red onion, tangy feta cheese, fresh basil and crisp croutons. It’s simply dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The croutons eventually soak up the juices from the fruit creating a nice combination of textures which really helps set this salad apart!

It can also easily be modified. If you follow a gluten or dairy-free diet you can omit the croutons and the feta cheese. You can throw some veggies into the salad as well — perhaps cucumbers or peppers. Whatever fruit or vegetables you add, try to keep it roughly the same size.

Enjoy!

Tomato, Peach and Watermelon Panzanella Salad
Serves 4-6 people

2 large tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 peaches, cut into 1-inch pieces
1-1 1/2 cups of watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 small red onion, sliced thinly (in half moon-shaped slices)
1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese
15 basil leaves, cut finely
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
15 large croutons (see recipe below)
salt and pepper to taste

Add tomatoes, peaches, watermelon, red onion, feta cheese and basil to a large bowl. Mix the olive oil and vinegar in a separate, small bowl and pour over the salad. Incorporate croutons and toss. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Helpful hint: You can make your own bread croutons with day old bread. Cut the bread into cubes and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper, toss and bake at 400 degrees until crisp and slightly browned. The croutons will harden as they cool.

August 20, 2014
Q&A with Laura: Part 1

Sometimes it is quite hard to keep up with all of the questions and emails I receive on a daily basis. I always try my hardest, but I know a lot slips by or that most of you won’t see my answers. Last week I asked you to leave a comment with one or two questions that you wanted to know about me. Here are the questions and answers in the order in which they were asked!

@evohoh: What led you to yoga?

Boredom! I know you probably expected some enlightened or inspirational answer to this one, but it was complete and utter boredom that led me to try yoga. I was 19 at the time and babysitting my nieces and nephew. After putting them to bed, I went downstairs to watch TV. My sister had a Baron Baptiste Power Yoga VHS tape. (What’s a DVD? LOL) I popped it into the VCR, and that was my first ever yoga class. I remember it being quite challenging, and I got hooked.

@so_captiffating: How long did it take you to start noticing growth in your flexibility?

This is a tough one…I’ve always been somewhat flexible. The most improvement I’ve seen has been in the past two years when I decided to give up my other workouts and focus on yoga…EVERY day.

@joma1991: What type of yoga do you practice? What is your daytime job?

I practice Vinyasa Flow yoga the most…mainly because I like to change things up every day and flow freely on my mat.

I currently still work part-time for a software company doing customer support and project management.

@carey_j_: Do you practice daily? If so, for how many hours?

Yes, I practice daily. On average, it’s for about an hour — sometimes shorter, sometimes longer.

@jasminenaamou: What has been the hardest part of your practice? How did you manage to get your family so involved?

The hardest part of my practice has been to let go of my ego. There were definitely points in my practice where I was forcing postures because my ego wanted to achieve something. It led to some injuries and some negativity towards myself. I thought I was a failure because I couldn’t do something. That has slowly left my practice. Of course I still get frustrated some days, but I no longer try to force anything for the sake of it. I just work a little harder on the mat and leave the outcome there.

Getting my family involved is something I am ecstatic about! My minis would just jump onto my mat when I practiced and try to copy me. I have to coax my son a little bit more these days, but my daughter is usually quick to jump in. Same with my hubby…He was reluctant at first and would base me for acro-yoga because I asked. Nowadays, he has his own yoga practice and really enjoys the acro portion.

@kikimecheche: Can you come to Puerto Rico and teach us some yoga?

Sign me up!

@sowindy: Where do you recommend starting?

Start with the basics flows and postures. Try to find a local studio that offers beginner classes or find some online. Learning the basics will help build a solid foundation and allow you to grow from there. You don’t learn to run before you can walk.

@_kozette_: What is your favorite pose?

Handstands! There is nothing more empowering to me than balancing on my hands.

@imajill: How tall are you?

5’3″…I’m rounding up! 😉

@sydneyecollier: Where do you travel?

Right now, mainly in North America, but that will be changing by next year!

@wastelandwanderer: What’s the best way to work on yoga teacher training while having a full-time job?

Honestly, I lucked out with this. I found teachers that were willing to meet around my schedule. It was more of a private YTT training. I would recommend finding a school that either does private YTT or one that meets once a month over a weekend. It may take longer to graduate, but it won’t take up too much time over the month to do it.

@shelss: Where do you get your mini’s yoga clothes?

Some of my faves are from Pepper & Penny (www.pepperandpenny.com). Some of the matching leggings were custom made. K.Deer Haute Yoga Wear (www.kdeerhauteyogawear.com) will be launching mini leggings this fall though!

@nycfittyogi: How do you get into Lotus upside down without using your hands?

Concentrate on opening up your hips for a solid month. Check my article on hip openers for ideas. I’ll put this on my list of tutorials to write up!.

@myshelby: When did you stop being afraid in handstand?

I honestly never really had a fear. I did gymnastics when I was younger. When I started my handstand practice again after starting yoga, I already knew how to fall. I think that’s why people have so much fear when they start. Falling is some scary shit. My advice to you is to just keep at it…The more you practice, the more relaxed you’ll become at being upside down. Also I recommend finding a local class that will offer some guidance from a teacher. Hope that helps!

@missbhaven613: What is your favorite pose?

Already answered this! LOL. Handstand, of course!

@susan_escalante: What is the best yoga class for beginners?

One that focuses on the basic postures with correct alignment. One that builds a solid foundation for the student’s practice.

@theirmama22238: What is your day to day diet like?

OY…Knew this one was coming. I am not vegetarian/vegan. I pretty much eat everything in moderation.

@yarahijazi1: Would you consider giving a workshop in the middle east? In particular Lebanon?

I’m not opposed to it, but I’m not sure my husband would let me go.

@bubblybug23: What is the trickiest trick you have ever done?

I don’t know about “trickiest” trick…but one that I’m most proud of is being able to grab my big toe in a Forearm-Hollowback. It took me almost a year to do.

@astrid_natalia26: How long did it take you to support your own weight and how many times did you practice?

I’ve always been active and fit…so I honestly don’t remember a time where I couldn’t. My advice to anyone looking to become stronger is to keep a consistent practice or fitness routine. Little by little, you become stronger as long as you stick with it and make it a daily practice!

@peskyesk: Do you do other forms of regular exercise other than yoga?

Nope!

@jolienej: What are your favorite apps for editing your photos and videos? How often and how long do you practice per week?

My fave photo apps are PS Express and Snapseed. My favorite video editing app is iMovie.

On average, I practice for about an hour a day…so anywhere from 7-10 hours a week.

@jess11__: How do you get over your fear of lifting off into a handstand?

A lot of guided practice and confidence that YOU CAN DO THIS! I would definitely recommend finding a local studio and teacher that is knowledgeable that can help you overcome your fears!

@yogafanatic: What app do you use to edit your photos?

LOL…Love how everyone wants to know this! For the most part, my pictures are pretty untouched because I shoot with a DSLR Nikon. However, I love PS Express and Snapseed.

@t_jane_insta: How much practice (years and how often a week) did it take you to get this far in yoga?

Once I decided to go strictly yoga (about two years ago), my progress increased pretty quickly. I practice about an hour each and every day.

XOXO

August 19, 2014
Zucchini and Summer Squash Pappardelle

This dish is amazing. It looks like pasta, and you want to believe you are eating pasta, but it doesn’t taste like pasta. It just tastes really good.

I think it’s the combination of textures — the thinly cut — almost twirl-able squash — the carmelized garlic, the nutty cheese and the herbs. Whatever it is, it’s divine.

You have probably noticed all of these nifty gadgets that cut the zucchini and other vegetables into spiral shapes that resemble spaghetti. I don’t have any of these tools, but I do have a mandolin which I used in our Shaved Fennel Salad.

In fact, this recipe is a play on one that my brother recently concocted — what he calls “Zucchini Pappardelle” — which is a flat and wide pasta shape — and totally achievable with a mandolin. I made a garlic and olive oil based sauce with some red pepper flakes and fresh herbs. If you eat dairy, you must add parmigiano-reggiano cheese to this dish.

You can also top the blanched squash with other sauces — including a fresh tomato sauce. However, I think you will really enjoy this recipe — it’s a surprisingly delicious and healthy dish that can be served alone, as an entree (along with a salad), or as a side dish with chicken or fish or anything else you may have on your table this summer. Aside from tasting great, it just looks gorgeous!

If you can’t eat pasta, or if you are looking for a new recipe for all that squash in your garden, this recipe is for you.

Enjoy!

Zucchini and Summer Squash Pappardelle with Garlic & Olive Oil
Serves 4 people

3 medium sized zucchini
3 medium sized summer squash
1/4 cup olive oil
4 large cloves of garlic
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup of shaved parmigiano-reggiano cheese
1 tablespoon chopped basil
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
salt to taste

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

In the meantime, with a mandolin, slice the zucchini and summer squash about 1/16th of an inch thick. Blanch the zucchini for approximately one minute, or until the squash is tender. Remove the squash and submerge into ice water to stop the cooking. Drain the squash and set aside in a large serving bowl.

In a pan over medium-low heat, add the olive oil, sliced garlic and crushed red pepper. Allow the garlic to brown slowly, and once it does, turn off the heat.

Add the olive oil mixture, the chopped basil, parsley and parmigiano-reggiano over the blanched zucchini. Toss and serve.

Helpful hint: Do NOT overcook the squash during the blanching stage. It will fall completely apart when you toss it! And, do NOT burn the garlic. If you do, start over!

August 15, 2014
10 Things I Would Say to My 20-Year Old Self

When I was 20-years old, I was finishing up my Sophomore year of college. I had strong opinions, a will of steel, and nobody could tell me anything about the world. Sometimes, I wonder if I would even listen to my own advice if I had the chance to go back in time and talk to my 20-year old self. I guess I will never know, but if I DID have the opportunity, here are the ten things I would say.

1. You CAN have it all. You just can’t have it all at the same time. You want to have a big career. You want to travel the world. You want to have a social life. You want to sleep eight hours every night. You want to volunteer your time. You want to hit the gym every morning. Go ahead and think big and dream big! Just remember that all of your wishes and dreams cannot and will not come true simultaneously. Decide what you want most now, and work on prioritizing those items.

2. Go ahead and wear that bikini. There is nothing wrong with your body. The problem is with your warped perception. You are fit and healthy, and nobody else sees all of the flaws that you think you have. When you look back in 20 years, you will not criticize the young woman in the photo. Instead, you will be in awe at how young you looked, and how happy and carefree you seemed.

3. Life is not fair. Bad things will happen. You will experience your share of difficult times, but you are strong and resilient and can handle anything that comes your way. No matter what, you will be just fine.

4. Stop baking in the sun. Your tan is not what makes you beautiful. It won’t actually make you look leaner. You have no flaws that need to be hidden. I assure you that there are healthier and more productive ways to spend your time than lying in the sun for hours.

5. Keep working hard. You may not fully see the purpose now, but it is shaping your character, making you stronger, and honing all sorts of skills that will come in handy later in life. There is no time like your 20s to work like a dog, start saving for the future, and absorb knowledge like a sponge.

6. Stop weighing yourself. You do not need the scale to confirm what you already know. You know when you are eating well. You know when you are not eating well. You know when your clothes feel comfortable, and you know when they feel too tight. Small day-to-day fluctuations in your weight should not determine your mood for the day. Your self worth is not measured in pounds. Stay off the scale.

7. Get your sugar addiction under control. I know you think you are healthy because you eat so many vegetables and exercise like a beast, but you have no idea how destructive your sugar addiction is. Stay away from the muffins, pastries, cookies and white flour treats. Perhaps you will be able to avoid all sorts of illnesses and ailments in the coming years. If you want sugar, have some fruit.

8. Don’t be afraid to fail. It’s tempting to avoid challenges because there is no guarantee of success. I know that failure is embarrassing. Embrace the opportunity anyway. If you succeed, there will be no better feeling than knowing you overcame difficult circumstances to reach that success. If you fail, you will learn and grow.

9. Listen to your body. Some days, you will feel the intense need to go outside and run. Go run. Other days, you will feel a strange sense of exhaustion and not want to exercise at all. Don’t exercise. Your body is an efficient machine. It knows what it needs to stay healthy, and it will speak to you, if you are willing to listen. You will want to override that internal voice, but it will truly serve you well if you just tune in, listen, and obey.

10. Be generous with your compliments. Your words have the power to uplift and to heal. Be genuine, and don’t hold back. It costs you nothing and bestows the gift of happiness and confidence upon someone who might need it.

August 13, 2014
Daily Practice: Warrior III

Warrior III, or Virabhadrasana III, is probably the trickiest of the Warrior Poses. Not only are you balancing on one leg, you also need to be mindful to keep the hips square while keeping the back leg lifted. Feel free to practice this pose by a wall for added support.

From Downward Facing Dog, step your right foot in between your hands and stay on the ball of your back foot coming into Low Lunge. Lengthen the spine and come up onto your fingertips. Make sure your right knee stacks directly over your right ankle. Extend your arms out toward the front of your mat, parallel to each other with palms facing in. Slightly shift your torso to the right so your navel is in the middle of your right thigh. Take a deep breath in. On the exhale, shift your weight into your right foot. Slowly start to straighten the right leg as you lift the left leg up behind you. Stretch your arms forward, while keeping your gaze down, or slightly forward. Flex your back foot and internally rotate the inner left thigh so that the toes point down towards your mat, not out to the side. Lower or raise the left leg so that it is parallel to your mat and your hips are in line.

Try to hold this pose for about 30 seconds and then repeat on the other side!

XOXO

August 8, 2014
Banana Maple Walnut “Ice Cream” (Dairy- and Gluten-Free!)

I had heard you could make mock-ice cream out of frozen bananas. I was skeptical, but I had a few spotted bananas on my counter, and I figured why not try! So, I peeled them, sliced them, wrapped them up and popped them into the freezer.

While they were freezing, I contemplated what type of ice cream I would make. You could easily make one-ingredient ice cream with just the frozen bananas, but I wanted to jazz it up a bit. While the ripened bananas are sweet on their own, I wanted to add a little more sweetness. I’m particularly fond of using maple syrup as a sweetener. I thought I’d also throw in some nuts — walnuts to be exact. Maple Walnut ice cream sounded pretty good to me — plus I figured the flavors would complement the bananas (think banana walnut muffin!).

I threw the chopped, frozen bananas into the food processor along with the maple syrup and pulsed it until it was smooth — like a softened ice cream texture. I then mixed in (by hand) the chopped walnuts.

The texture is definitely looser than ice cream, so you may want to put it in the freezer to set up a bit. If so, a loaf pan covered with plastic wrap works out nicely.

This is a great mock-ice cream. It’s creamy and delicious, and it is a perfect ice cream substitute. It’s also ideal for those who follow a dairy- or gluten-free diet.

As far as my family goes, they really enjoyed it — in fact, they were asking for more!

While an ice cream aficionado might turn their nose up, a health-conscious ice cream-loving mom will love this recipe — not only will she get rid of the spotted bananas in the house, but she will reap a healthy frozen dessert in return!

Banana Maple Walnut “Ice Cream”
Serves 4 people

4 ripe bananas cut into 1 inch slices and frozen
3-4 tablespoons maple syrup ( I use grade B for thickness)
1/4 cup of chopped walnuts

In the bowl of a food processor add your bananas and maple syrup (you can adjust the amount of syrup based on your desired level of sweetness). Pulse until the bananas break down, resembling a smooth creamy consistency. Remove mixture and add to a bowl. Mix in the chopped walnuts. Serve immediately or pop back into the freezer for a more solid consistency.

August 7, 2014