I just saw the ultimate ‘foodie’ movie (and one of the most uplifting movies I have seen in a long time), Julie & Julia. If you haven’t seen the trailer, it is the story of Julia Child’s journey to become a chef and Julie Powell’s year blogging and cooking her way through 524 Julia Child recipes. I loved the fact that it made me want to run out immediately afterwards and cook a chocolate souffle. I loved the long drawn out shots of Sole Meunier sauteeing in loads and loads of butter. I loved the close-up shots of Bouef Bourguignon simmering in a pot on the stove. But I digress. What I loved most was the message. (more…)
When my sister and I were growing up, our visits to Sicily were most often in July and August, when figs are in season. My Zia Pina would always have a plate waiting for us almost as soon as we got off the plane. The taste of the green figs that grow on their farm would immediately let me know that I was back in Sicily. Later, when we got settled, my sister and I would walk back through the lemon trees, searching for one of the very old and gnarly fig trees. We would eat them straight from the tree, still warm from the sun and tasting like honey. (more…)
Yoga can help us find grace in the midst of challenge. As many of us know all to well, we can’t always control or change the storms that life puts in our path, but we can learn to weather those storms with grace and fortitude. Yoga can also teach us ways to make our lives less challenging, to improve our health, our mental state and our spiritual selves so that we are able to function with greater ease and grace. As Iyengar explains, our yoga practice can help us learn how to accept that which we cannot change with serenity and learn to move forward and change that which we can.
“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what can not be cured.” B. K. S. Iyengar
Enjoy tonight’s playlist!
I discovered Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) on my hiking trip to Peru a few years ago. They would serve it in the morning on the trail, with a little sugar, cinnamon and milk. This ancient grain is super high in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals so it is great for helping you keep steady energy throughout your day, even if you are hiking the Andes! Since I got home, I have been trying it out in lots of different recipes, but this one (supplied by my mom, chef Kathy Griswold) is my favorite new way to use summer produce. Enjoy!
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