A TEX-MEX BOWL MADE FOR A VEGGIE

I felt inspired from all the photos on Instagram of Quinoa Bowls based on a recipe from Cameron Diaz's book, The Body Book: The Law of Hunger, the Science of Strength, and Other Ways to Love Your Amazing Body that I had to make my own. I must say it turned out pretty damn good...and it was so easy too! 

Using the contents in my pantry and fridge I came up with a delicious Vegetarian Tex-Mex Bowl with a bit of a kick that I have to share with all of you! See the recipe below...

Tex-Mex Quinoa Bowl Recipe 

(Yields 4 Servings)

1/2 Cup - Quinoa

1 Cup - Water

1 Can - Black Beans 

(No Added Salt)

1 Ear - Yellow Corn

2 - Green Zucchinis

2 - Yellow Summer Squash

1 - Avocado

1/4 Cup - Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese

1/4 Cup - Salsa 

(Fresh, not bottled - bottled is loaded with sugar!)

1 TBSP - Organic Coconut Oil

2 - Garlic Cloves

Begin by rinsing the quinoa in a strainer, then add it to a sauce pan with the water and place on the stovetop on high heat. Once the mixture begins to boil, place the lid on the pan and lower the heat to a simmer for 10-15 minutes until the water soaks into the quinoa. Meanwhile, chop the zucchini and squash into small bites, and saute in coconut oil and chopped garlic for 8-10 minutes. Once cooked transfer the quinoa and veggies into a serving bowl, and then add cooked black beans and corn, chopped avocado into the bowl. Top it off with a sprinkle of cheese and salsa. Remember ONLY use fresh salsa! 

Bottled salsa like Pace is loaded with added sugar, so make sure to look for some of my favorite brands, Casa Sanchez or Santa Barbara, at your local supermarket. Don't believe me? Compare the labels, plus they taste much better too. They might be a little bit more expensive, but I guarantee they are so worth it!

There you have it - a tasty low-cal (275 cals) vegetarian quinoa bowl loaded with protein (10g), fiber (9g) and healthy fats (13g) that will have you satisfied! Perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or bring it as a side dish to a backyard BBQ!

Give it a go and let me know what you think - I promise your taste buds won't be disappointed!

xo

Jen

ACAI BERRY TASTY SUPERFOOD BOWL

As I continue to look for healthy alternatives to processed foods and shift towards a more plant-based diet, I have become addicted to Acai Bowls. I ordered the tasty superfood bowl from my local juicery about a month ago and I am obsessed! 

The only problem is that while I like to support local businesses, Acai Bowls can be a bit pricey ranging from approximately $7 to $10 per bowl, which really does not bode well for one living on a budget so I came up with a DIY recipe at a more affordable cost that still satiates my craving for the refreshing wine-like berry.  

Acai Banana Berry Bowl 

1 - Frozen Acai Unsweetened Smoothie Pack 

(Buy in the frozen food section at Whole Foods or get more bang for your buck at Costco.) 

1 - Banana

1/2 Cup - Blueberries

1 Cup - Power Greens 
(Mix of Spinach, Kale and/or Chard.)

1 TBSP - Chia Seeds

(Soak in water in the fridge overnight so they are easier to digest.)

1 TSP - Raw Honey or Agave Nectar

1/4 Cup - Almond Granola

1/4 Cup - Strawberries

Start by emptying the frozen acai berry smoothie packet into your blender followed by the banana and blueberries. Then, add the power greens, chia seeds and honey/agave for a little extra natural sweetner. Blend until smooth similar to a smoothie. Pour into a bowl and top with almond granola and fresh strawberries. Sliced banana and blueberries also make a great topping.

If you are unfamiliar with Acai (ah-sigh-ee), it is an exotic relative to the blueberry and cranberry found in the Amazon forests hence its hefty price tag. Some claim Acai berries are one of the most supreme superfoods given its medicinal properties and high nutritional value, packed with antioxidants, vitamins, amino acids, fiber, and essential fatty acids. Consuming acai berries are said to help promote heart health and aid in digestion as well as boost energy and strength. 

Combining Acai with the ingredients listed above you will be fueling your body with a host of nutrients! Try it and let me know what you think -- I'd love to hear your feedback!

xo
Jen


Note: This Acai Bowl contains approximately 400 calories and 12 grams of fiber.

MY MAUI RETREAT

Anyone who knows me knows what a yoga addict I have become over the last few years so it made perfect sense for me to book a yoga retreat during my time off from the working world!

Since losing my job in September I had been wanting to travel, but when you are the only one out of work it's kind of hard to get people to commit to a nice vacation from "life," which I was desperately in need of. As someone put it ever so eloquently, "the universe gave me a swift kick in the ass" when two big doors closed on me at roughly the same time last year, which I could not agree with more and why I felt it was important for me to get out of town for a bit but if I couldn't get anyone to commit where would I go and what would I do? That's when I started to seriously consider a yoga retreat -- it combined one of my favorite hobbies with travel and an opportunity to meet new people!

After researching a few yoga retreats, I finally bit the bullet last December and booked Deborah Lee & Mia Togo's Recalibrate & Restore Maui Retreat as a "little" Christmas present to myself. Mia is one of the most sought after yoga teachers at YogaWorks in Santa Monica. She is known to pack a class of 80+ students, which is likely due to the warm heartfelt energy she exudes on top of her yoga expertise. I have been taking Mia's Vinyasa Flow classes on and off for the past couple of years, so when I heard that she was leading a retreat in Maui I was sold on the idea. It wasn't until the retreat that I met Deb -- an equally kindhearted and popular teacher from San Francisco -- which can be confirmed by her self-confessed "Deb-heads" (aka her groupies).

Deborah Lee & Mia Togo

The weeks leading up to the retreat I had no idea what to expect since I had never done this sort of thing before. All I knew was that we were going to practice yoga four hours a day (8-10a/5p-7p) and two meals were provided (breakfast/dinner), but what about the "big" questions? Who were the other people attending the retreat? Would they be traveling alone like I was? Would I fit in? What would I do with my free time? All the questions that I asked myself over and over again before stepping onto the plane in Los Angeles that would not be answered until I arrived in Maui for my 5-day retreat. Somewhat nerve-wracking for someone who was once painfully shy as a kid. I was really stepping outside of the box on this trip. 

All my fears were set aside when I arrived at the beautifully quaint Lumeria Maui in late February and we gathered for our first yoga class as a group in the retreat center's Yoga Shala. I could feel all the positive energy in the room as I walked through the door before we sat down for introductions. As we went around the room all those "big" questions I had were slowly answered. I was not the only one traveling alone but one of many, while others were there with family and friends. People not only came from Los Angeles and San Francisco where Mia and Deb reside, but also from places such as New Hampshire and North Carolina, and one traveled from as far as London. There were people from all walks of life, ranging from their early 20s to 60s, but at the core there were two things we all had in common. We were all sitting in that room because we all had a love for yoga and an appetite for adventure, which grew more evident as the days went by.   

As I look back at the conversations I had with people over our daily meals I am still in awe. From one's journey through the Congo to another's experience living in Botswana and one's childhood in Tahiti. I have to admit I felt a bit inferior sitting amongst this group at times, but they were all such inspiring storytellers that their spirit for travel was infectious. They were also very encouraging with "a you can do anything you want" mentality whether it related to travel or your life's calling but the key was that you have to do it with an open heart.

Retreat Group Shot

An open heart was a major theme weaved in and out of this retreat both literally and figuratively. We practiced heart opening poses and discussed how they translated off the mat because leading with an open heart isn't always easy. Let's face it, shit happens and our gut instinct is to close off, but that will never get us anywhere. Chances are there is someone sitting across the room from you who is going through what you are going through, but you will never know unless you have an open heart. Finding the comfort in the discomfort is a step in the right direction because in the end living with an open heart will lead you to freedom and love.  

Attending Deb & Mia's retreat was definitely a step in the right direction for me. I walked away meeting some pretty amazing people and a more open heart. It was one of the most liberating experiences I have had in my life, so freeing in fact that I was in no rush to get home (very uncharacteristic of me). I spent an extra couple of days in Maui hanging with some of my new yogi friends and doing things I had never done before. All-in-all this trip was one for the books!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my experience and if I inspired anyone my job here has been done. Until next time...

xo
Jen

If you're interested in attending a yoga retreat, check out The Travel Yogi, which facilitated Deb & Mia's Retreat*Recalibrate*Restore in Maui.

ONE CHICKEN, TWO WAYS

I have a reputation for not being much of a cook. I am a smart girl, so when I have a man around who is ready, willing, and able I'm not going to deny him the opportunity to show me his skills. I am more than happy to do the dishes if that means I have someone cooking for me, but the truth is that I do know how to do a thing or two in the kitchen.

For example, I baked a whole chicken in my slow cooker a couple of days ago and it came out so much better than those rotisserie chickens they sell at the grocery store, which not to mention are made with added sugar. As it turns out sugar isn't necessary to have a moist and flavorful chicken if you just do it yourself!

Slow Cooking Chicken

1 - Whole Chicken

1 - Lemon

2 - Cloves of Garlic

1 - Shallot

A Few Pinches of Herb Seasoning 

Start by rinsing off the chicken and patting it dry. Then, slice a lemon in half and place one half inside the carcass while continuing to slice the other half to place on the bottom of the slow cooker pot and on top of the bird for flavoring. In addition to the lemon, also place garlic and shallots inside the carcass and around the bird. Finally, sprinkle a few pinches of your favorite herb seasoning on the chicken to give it a little more flavor. There's no need to buy a special one, I used Simply Organic's Garlic n' Herb that I had sitting in my pantry. When you are finished seasoning the chicken place in your slow cooker and set it on low to cook for 7.5 hours. It's the perfect weeknight dinner!

Here's another tip - the chicken also makes for a great lunch the next day. You can use the leftovers to make a light and healthy chicken salad like I did.

Avocado Chicken Salad

Leftover Chicken

1 - Avocado

1/4 - Yellow Onion

1/2 - Lemon

1 or 2 Pinches of Garlic Powder & Cracked Pepper 

Shred the leftover chicken in a medium sized bowl. Add chopped avocado and onion, then sprinkle garlic powder and cracked pepper to taste. Mash and mix ingredients together, and then squeeze lemon juice over the top for added flavor and to keep the avocado from browning. You can either eat this Avocado Chicken Salad carb-free or make into a tasty wrap. I usually opt for the wrap using Food for Life's Gluten-Free Brown Rice Tortillas, which you can buy at Whole Foods.

And there you have it - two healthy home cooked meals made by myself! 

If you have any questions, please ask below in the comments section OR feel free to share tips for your favorite chicken dish.

xo

Jen

YOGA IN THE PARK

Have you ever thought about taking your yoga practice outdoors? I had never given it much thought until I went on a date a couple of months ago and while we didn't hit it off, the date wasn't a complete waste of my time because he introduced me to the idea of Yoga in the Park in Dana Point.

Yoga in the Park takes place every morning at 10am rain or shine in Lantern Bay Park located on the corner of Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern in front of the Laguna Cliffs Marriott. It is a donation based class taught by various instructors from the South County region who also teach at local studios. All are welcome, including your kiddos and furry friends!

The class I took on Friday morning was taught by Laura Lutz who is described as a fun and inspiring spirit. She began the class by quoting T.S. Elliot and made a good point that New Year's Resolutions are a little bit silly because why do you have to start something that betters yourself on January 1st when you can do it any day of the year, which I could not agree with more. In fact, I had the same exact thought heading into the new year so I knew I would like her style. 

Laura's class was a nice even paced flow perfect for beginners to experienced yogis looking for a chill workout. I didn't break a sweat but after 60 minutes of side angles, chaturangas, hip openers and backbends in the winter sun I walked away feeling calm and refreshed. 

The only thing that would have made my Yoga in the Park experience that much better would have been if Laura provided an awesome soundtrack to go along with the scenic views of Dana Point Harbor. Maybe a little Coldplay "Paradise" or some Jack Johnson tunes, but all in all it was a good experience that I would recommend. It's a great alternative to a traditional studio, much more affordable and all you parents out there don't have to worry about getting a sitter. You can bring your little ones with you and teach them how to live a healthy lifestyle early. It might even make a fun family outing.

Give Yoga in the Park a shot if you're in the Orange County area and let me know what you think! 

xo
Jen

For more info on Yoga in the Park visit www.iheartyogainthepark.com.

2013 LIFE LESSONS

2013 was full of life lessons for me. It was a year that started in one direction and ended in another. Life threw me some curve balls and I had to learn how to roll with the punches. It has been said that "you can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf," which is what I strive to do everyday and in doing so I have learned some valuable lessons. 

Life is full of uncertainties, but no matter what life dishes out you have to remember two things (1) it goes on and (2) always add avocado. ;-)

Photo Cred: Instagram +tristanprettyman 

I have no idea what 2014 has in store for me. I surely couldn't have predicted 2013, but everything happens for a reason and maybe the best hasn't happened yet. 

Happy New Year Friends!

xo 
Jen