Hometown Fest FUN!

Hi Friends!

I hope you all had a safe, fun, and enjoyable 4th of July weekend!  Andrew and I had his step-brother and sister over for Friday through Sunday, so we decided to take them to the Hometown Fest just down the street.  There was a HUGE parade (we stood there for nearly 2 hours watching the floats!), then we had a picnic lunch and walked around the fair.  And, of course, we finished off the night with a Harry Potter movie!  We have been re-watching the movies lately as we will be visiting Universal next week!

Take a look below to see some of the fun things we saw!

A delicious vegan spread of hummus and veggie sandwiches on ciabatta bread with fresh blueberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe!

Below are pictures from our nature walk!  I learned so much and found out that my favorite wild flour, Queen Anne's Lace, is also called wild carrot!!  All these years and I had no clue!

The picture below is actually a wild rose plant!

I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating this weekend!

Flavorful Friday: Do you taste your food?

Hi friends!!

Can you believe this is the last week of January?!  I sure can't!!

With working a full time job as well as creating new programs for TheYogiRD, time seems to slip by all too quickly.  As a matter of fact, as I am typing this, it is coming to my attention that I could use some mindfulness in my life.  I recently watched a video about being mindful in your daily life.  Really living in the moment and paying attention to the task at hand, instead of thinking about everything else you need to get done.

That is where my yoga practice comes in.  Every time I am on my mat, I am mindful.  It comes more easily on the mat (more challenging at home compared to at the studio...).  I have just now noticed that this practice of mindfulness has not quite been integrated into my whole life.  Sure, when I don't have a super busy schedule, I am more aware and mindful.  But it is during those intense moments in life that being mindful is most important.  During the crazy running around trying to keep everything together moments is really when we should stop. and breathe. and be present.

So, naturally it is difficult, but if you and I work at it, those want to pull your hair out crazy moments will be more bearable because we have learned to clear the chaos and allow ourselves to seek and find an answer.

So, what does this have to do with it being "Flavorful Friday"?  Well, everything actually!  Mindfulness is eating and choosing what we eat is a major part of a healthy lifestyle!  When you take the time to smell, taste, feel, hear, and see the food you are putting on your plate and in your body; you are more apt to make increasingly healthy decisions.

Think about the last time you really took the time to use all of your senses in preparing and eating a meal.  It made the meal so amazing, didn't it?!  If you've never tried this, I challenge you to try it this weekend. (Then be sure to let me know how it goes!!)

Whether it is preparing a meal or eating a meal, take some time to be mindful:

• Think about the ingredients
• Taste each ingredient in each bite
• Chew each bite at least 20 times and notice any flavor and texture changes
• Notice the temperature of the food.
• How does the food smell?  What does the smell remind you of?
• How does the food sit in your stomach?
• Are you still hungry?  Overly full? Or just right?

Let me know, in the comments, your thoughts on mindfulness/mindful eating!  If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe! 

Namaste.

Mantra Monday: Natarajasana

Hi friends!

This week's mantra is all about self love!  As we come to the end of January and beginning of February, we are constantly bombarded with red and pink everything every where.  Whether its ads on TV or online, we are constantly reminded of the fact that Valentine's Day is just around the corner.
Whether you are in a relationship or not, this "holiday" can be overwhelming.  I have never truly enjoyed Valentines Day simply because it puts pressure on people to buy yet another gift.  If we want to give a gift to a friend or loved one, why wait for a holiday?  Just buy them the gift and give it to them.

Instead of indulging in more consumption, I would like Valentine's Day to truly turn into a day of love.  You know how during the holidays, everyone seems to be in a better mood?  Why don't we carry that love and merriment more consistently throughout the year?!

That is why, this week, I have devoted the Mantra and Asana to love and fun.  Life is too short to be grumpy all the time.  Lighten your heart with some play time this week (see the pose below) and remind yourself that it is good to smile and be happy.  The yoga pose below is meant to lift your spirits and evoke a sense of play and fun!  The key to this mantra, though, is to actually believe it!  And from personal experience, even if you don't really believe it at first, the more you say it, the more you start to truly believe it!  I can tell already how beautiful you are!!

So...go...right now...look in the mirror and let yourself know how beautiful you are.  Give yourself some of this love and then pass it along to a friend or loved one!  Tell them how beautiful they are, and then let them know to pass it along as well!  It can't hurt, the world needs more love anyways :)

This week's Mantra:

This week's Asana:  Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance Pose)

From standing, lean your weight onto your right foot and gently bend your left knee so you can hold on to your left foot behind you.  If you can not comfortably hold onto your foot, use a strap, belt or towel to loop around your foot for extra length.  Breathe.  When you feel balanced, lift your right arm up towards the sky, then gently start to lean forward; bending at the hip.  Press your left foot into your left hand (or strap, etc.) and breathe.  Keep your gaze forward, your chest lifted, and both legs strong and steady.  Stay here for 5-10 breaths, then repeat on the other side.

 I would love to see your pictures!!  Tag me on Twitter or Instagram @TheYogiRD

25 Days of Bloggging- Day 13: Omisoka

Hi friends!

Today's festival is a very important holiday in Japan because it marks the end of an old year and the eve of the new. 

At 11pm on this evening, family and friends gather to have a bowl of toshikoshi-soba (年越しそば) or toshikoshi-udon (年越しうどん).  This tradition relates to the association in which long noodles representing a crossing over from one year to the next. 

Before we get on to the recipe, I just want to let you all know that tomorrow is the last festival post as I am having a hard time finding more.  If you know of a winter holiday/festival that I have not yet covered, please leave a comment below and I will be sure to include it in the 25 Days of Blogging series!!

Now, onto the recipe!:

Ingredients:
Noodle soup
1.5l dashi stock (the base used for miso soup- can contain fish, so although not traditional, you can substitute vegetable stock)
200ml soy sauce
100ml mirin
1tbsp sugar
300ml tsuyu (optional)

Noodles
200g soba buckwheat noodles
100g spring onions
20g tempura flakes

Recipe and Picture Link

Directions:

1. In a large pan, make your dashi stock. Next, add the mirin and simmer gently for a few minutes. Now add the sugar and let it dissolve before adding the soy sauce. This makes the soup for your soba noodles.
2. In separate pan bring 1l of water to the boil. Add the soba, stir them slightly to make sure they’re all spread out around the pot. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for around 8 minutes. Cooking times may vary depending on your noodles, so check the instructions on the packet.
   
3. Drain the noodles and rinse them in cold water, gently rubbing the noodles to remove any excess starch on the surface. Next, thinly slice the spring onions and any other garnishes.
4. Gently re-heat the stock and pour into bowls, then add the noodles and garnish with your spring onions and tempura flakes.

25 Days of Blogging- Day 10: Boxing Day

Hi Friends!

I am getting used to this daily blogging thing!  I hope you are all enjoying reading it as much as I am researching and writing it!!  Please leave a comment for me, letting me know your favorite post thus far.  I really love getting comments...they make my whole day!!

Now, on to today's festival:  Boxing Day!  This celebration traditionally follows the day after Christmas (so December 26th on the Gregorian calendar), when servants and tradesmen would receive gifts known, as a Christmas box, from their employers.

This tradition began as early as the Middle Ages and is still a custom in some countries including Canada, Australia, England, and Ireland.

I could not find many recipes for this holiday, as it revolves around giving a gift.  So here's my gift to you:   

 5 people who subscribe to either this blog or my main website will receive a signed copy of my book, Medieval Feats and Marvelous Treats!!

25 Days of Blogging- Day 5: Fiesta of Our Lady Guadalupe

Hi friends!

Today's festival is a Mexican-Catholic holiday beginning the week before December 12th.  Celebrations go all the way to the eve of December 12th, when the height of the celebration happens.  On this day, conchero dancers gather in the atrium of the church Basilica of Ville Madero.  Here, there is dancing, music, and singing to honor the Señora de Guadalupe.

 One of the many traditional recipes enjoyed on this day (December 12th) is Sopa de Espinaca (Spinach Soup).  This traditional soup has an additional special ingredient...macaroni noodles!


Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb spinach
• 1/4 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1.2 onion, minced
• 1/2 can tomato paste
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Boil the spinach and macaroni separately, then rinse and drain. 
2. Brown the onions in oil, then add the tomato sauce.  Stir and let simmer for 2 minutes, then add the broth.  
3. Bring the mixture to a boil and add the macaroni.
4. Add spinach and simmer 5 minutes.  
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve!

25 Days of Blogging- Day 4: 3. Eid-al-Adha

Hi Friends!

Today's festival is from Islam and is called Eid-al-Adha, also known as the Sacrifice Feast.  It is a 4 day festival honoring the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son for God.  Those who can, donate an entire halal animal to neighbors or those less fortunate.  The sacrificed animal is known as Udiyyah and has to meet a certain set of rules to be considered Halal.

 

Since the majority of the recipes for this festival include meat, I have decided not to post a recipe.  In holding the highest respect for cultures and customs, I do not feel comfortable posting an animal-based recipe on this blog.

If you would like to learn more about this festival, click here.

25 Days of Blogging- Holidays Around the World!

Hi friends!  Welcome to 25 days of Blogging!!   

For the next 25 days, I will be sharing winter holiday customs from around the globe, recipes, yoga, and a bit of history with you.  (Note:  the history and holiday/festival information has been found online, I am no expert on these holidays!)  

Now, as I mentioned, this will be 25 days of blogging...in a row..., and I am sure this will be a challenge, but I think I can pull through!  Below is a list of the December holidays I found whist doing research on this topic.  I will be posting a recipe as well as a brief overview of each holiday.  If I happen to miss any holiday that you are familiar with or celebrate, please let me know and share your knowledge with me!  I adore learning about cultures and traditions so leave me a comment and maybe share a recipe!  

 

Disclaimer:  As mentioned before, I am no expert on any of these holidays.  The information presented on this blog is from searching on the internet.  If any information presented is incorrect, please send me a kind email letting me know of the correct information and a resource to use and I will edit the post with corrected information.