August 23, 2012 by Laura | CATEGORY: Uncategorized

A Delectable Birthday-(Hint: Dessert is Key)

I love birthdays! Maybe I’m an overgrown kid (when they tell me to connect with my inner child, it really isn’t hard), maybe I just like to savor life a little bit extra, or maybe I just like to mark the yearly milestones. Whatever the reason, I really enjoy them. For myself and everybody else.

That said, there have been times when a b-day celebration meant my healthy lifestyle went out the window. And fun as it may have been in the moment, that didn’t make me feel so delectable. This year, I got the birthday of my dreams, and left the weekend feeling bright, vibrant and ready to rock the next year of my life.

Ingredients:

Yoga buddies for practice

Good friend for breakfast

Pedicure

Time to relax and reflect

Awesome husband/family/even more friends

Great wine, with a smidge of moderation

The perfect healthy yet decadent dessert

August 17, 2012 by Laura | CATEGORY: Delectable Delights

Dreamy Creamsicle Smoothie

Remember those creamsicles from the ice cream truck? This just as delicious. Maybe even more. But so much gentler on your beautiful bod.

Refreshing in summer’s heat. Perfect for taking to-go, since you don’t have to keep it frozen (just rather cool). Great as breakfast or garnished with an orange slice and shared for dessert.

July 9, 2012 by tahirih | CATEGORY: Delectable Delights

The Naughtiest, Healthiest Smoothie You’ll Ever Love

There are all kinds of smoothies. Green ones. Creamy ones. Light ones. Cleansing ones. Refreshing ones. Fruity ones. Nutty ones. And then there are the naughty ones. Sometimes you want to eat something healthy that feels decadent. Or at least, I do. I don’t eat smoothies just because I should. I eat them because I can! And this one makes being naughty oh-so-nice.

June 9, 2012 by tahirih | CATEGORY: Delectable Delights

Bowl Me Over

I am a woman of many bowls. I never met a bowl I didn’t like. Or mug. Or dish. Or cute little ramekin. I can’t resist them. I mean, there’s no one vessel that’s right for every purpose. I have this adorable little bowl with blue scrolling I got as a gift long ago, and I almost always use it for chia pudding. And my smoothies need a GIGANTIC goblet in order to feel decadent and look beautiful for presentation. Or maybe a mason jar. It depends on the day.

May 9, 2012 by tahirih | CATEGORY: Yoga

Why I’m (Still) in Love with Yoga

Yoga was easy at first. I was infatuated. I got up each morning, flew into class early enough to get the perfect spot, got on the mat and got sweaty and happy. Simple. This went on for quite some time. Of course, then followed the inevitable middle stage. I was still addicted, but it took a little more effort. It required lifestyle changes. Scheduling challenges with friends and family (!) cropped up. The honeymoon phase was over. I would often roll into the studio at the last minute and think as I began “I’m not sure this is really going to happen.” I clearly remember one teacher telling me, “You have got to have a little more fun with your yoga!” I was mortified. Yoga was the love of my life, so I thought. What did she mean I wasn’t having fun?

So why do I still practice yoga? Even without enlightenment, even without that initial perpetual bliss, even with aches, pains, and your average busy work life?

April 9, 2012 by tahirih | CATEGORY: Delectable Delights

The Accidental Smoothie

My husband, a loving and inspirational man who believes in my kitchen artistry more than I do, once suggested I write a blog all about using whatever’s in the cabinets to make fantastic meals.

I. Am. Not. That. Girl.

It’s not that I don’t occasionally throw something together without a plan beforehand. And yes, it often comes out great. But what I do more often is dream up something that calls for specific ingredients that combine in a way that makes my mouth water. I think it up. I go shopping. I come home and prep it in some precise way (has anyone ever seen the way I arrange veggies on a salad? It’s a problem). And THEN I throw it together, hoping it comes out great. Sometimes it does.