Everything listed under: recipe

This past weekend I found myself with nothing on my 'agenda'. It was truly the first time all year where I didn't have a looming deadline, a class to teach or choreography to create. And I wasn't on a plane either. Wow. What was I going to do with myself? Friday afternoon found me exhausted. All I wanted to do was collapse. So I basically did. I ran a bunch of errands, trying to get my life back in order from a long trip away and wondering how I was going to clean up this apartment? That's it, I decided. Taking care of me meant not only taking care of my career and my nutrition, but taking care of ALL of me. Including my home, my personal space and my spirit. I needed rest. So I downloaded "Up In the Air" (which I haven't watched yet), cleaned up my work station and found an organization that would recycle old electronics in the city on Saturday, as I've been trying to dispose of two archaic dinosaur-like televisions without wrecking havoc on the environment. (By the way, if you are in NYC and need to do the same, please check out the Lower East Side Ecology's Center for dates and drop off locations!) A good start.
My Saturday morning started out like any other for me. Meditation, latte, breakfast, computer work, etc. Someone came by to pick up a huge piece of furniture I've been trying to get rid of (YAY!!!! Cleaning up shit!) and then it was off to drop off the televisions. Check. I even had time to stop at my favorite chocolate store in the Village, Pure Dark, to pick up dessert for the Paella party I was co-hosting later in Brooklyn. (Wait, did I say nothing was on the agenda for the weekend? Apparently, I lied. I forgot I was to help with a dinner party. Small detail.) They have a new variety that is darker and richer than any of the others. I think it's called their "SERIOUS" chocolate and if I'm not mistaken it's straight up 80% cacao. We all know how I love my chocolate! I dropped off my friend's car back in the Village and thought, wow. Only 12pm. What am I going to do with myself? It was a beautiful day so I decided to start walking. I stumbled into an AMAZING smelling coffee roastery, Roasting Plant, remembering I needed some more of that tasty bitter goodness that saves my life every morning. I added a latte and thought a morning of espresso and dark chocolate could lead to nothing but good! Where to next? I figured I would drift east and head to the Union Square Greenmarket and see what delicacies I could find there. But lo and behold, directly in my path lay a lululemon store. Well, well. Isn't that convenient? Convenient for my style, but no so convenient for my wallet. Whatever. I must say, this sea green runners top looks smashing on me  and I need headbands. Very functional. But I had to pull myself out of there before any other products sucked me in! Across the street to the Greenmarket where I found a lovely Manchego cheese for the Paella party, a perfect Spanish accompaniment. Somehow, a homemade oatmeal carrot raisin cookie also found it's way into my basket. But when it's made with nothing but all natural ingredients that I can pronounce, I never concern myself! Quite a yummy addition to my latte and chocolate brunch! As I wandered through I decided to walk all the way home to prepare for the trek to Brooklyn to help my friend with the dinner party. The best laid plans . . . . somewhere at about 18th and 5th Ave., my friend from L.A., Ken, called to inform me he was finally free from the morning's Bat Mitzvah obligations and could we meet up. Sure, I said, but I swore I only had about a half hour as I had to go home, clean up and get my ass to Brooklyn. Well, Ken happened to bring a friend who, let's just say, made it much more compelling to share beers and head to Brooklyn in what I was already wearing. Yes, two hours later, my new friend, sans Ken, and I hopped on the 4 train over to Cobble Hill. Sweat pants, grubby t-shirt and sweatshirt be damned. I didn't care what I looked like (although a shower would have been nice) as I had an unexpected afternoon of great company, laughter and good conversation. Which, in my book, trumps appearance any day of the week and twice on Tuesdays! After his initial annoyance at my tardiness, my co-host seemed to forgive me as I brought along an extra pair of hands to help chop and prepare. (Thanks, James!) As the guests began arriving, and raves for the food began to flow, along with the sangria, I forgot all about what I looked like and found myself marveling at how wonderful my afternoon, and now my evening, had turned out to be. And I hadn't even planned it that way! And I certainly didn't plan on staying out until 3am, but I didn't seem to mind my later than normal bed time much either. I was smiling and laughing more than I had in a long time and was reminded, once again, how good it can feel to let go and be spontaneous. You never know who you'll meet and what you'll find. I found inspiration, new friends, and great food. Plus, a new recipe to share! Here is the fresh salad I made for the Spanish style fiesta! Totally off the cuff!

Hearts of Palm Salad:

1. 3 jars hearts of palm (I found Trader Joe's to be wonderfully tasty with a great consistency. Not too firm or too mushy!) 
2. 2 avocados
3. 1 red onion
4. 2 Vine Ripened Red Tomatoes
5. Bunch cilantro
6. EV Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
7. 1 lemon or 2 limes
8. Sea Salt
9. Black Pepper

Slice first 4 ingredients into nice bite size chunks, not too small. Chop Cilantro. Toss 1-5 in large serving bowl with the juice of lemons or limes, and the remaining ingredients to taste. You won't need a lot of balsamic as the citrus will provide enough 'bite'. SUPER EASY, SUPER HEALTHY AND SUPER TASTY!

Ahhhh, one of my favorite things to do . . . Procrastinate. The word just sounds wrong: Pro-CRAAAAS-tinate. Ugh. But darn if I'm not very very adept in this area. Bad for me when deadlines have to be met. Good for you when looking for new recipes! Because, for me, the best and easiest way to procrastinate? COOK! Or at least go try to whip something up in the kitchen. So I don't waste any more darn time getting started on this new dance workout DVD (Did I peak your interest??? Stay tuned!) I'm going to get right to the point. I made the tastiest, healthiest Chocolate Peanut Butter shake you can possibly find. So here you go:

Choco Chunkey Monkey

1/2 cup UNSWEETENED Chocolate Almond Milk (I like Blue Diamond Brand)
1 ripe banana
1-2 tbsps. natural nut butter of choice (peanut and almond are always faves)
3 heaping tblspns CHOCOLATE HEMP SEED PROTEIN POWDER
Touch of agave
A dash STEEVIA
1 tsp. Cinnamon
ICE

Stick all that in a blender and whip it up! Pour in a tall glass and you can add a dash of cinnamon on top if you'd like!
I also added a GREEN SUPERFOOD powder. The brand I use is not too overpowering so you couldn't even tell there was so much good stuff in there. DRINK IT UP!!!

I wish I could say that I haven't had anything to write about the past few weeks which would explain the lag in blog space. But that is not the case. I've had plenty to write about. I've been cooking quite a bit, wanting to post a hot chocolate recipe, yearning to brag about what I like to consider my now famous Krispy Kale Chips, and talk about my trip home for the holidays from where I am definitely going to steal my father's Spinach and Cannellini Bean dish. (More on this to come) But the truth is, I've been sad. Just before the holidays, the BF and I decided to take a break, or as most people would say, simply, break up. My heart has felt heavy and I've also felt very lonely. Oddly enough, work is going great but it's difficult to get excited about anything when you all of a sudden stop sharing your life with someone you've spent the past nine months getting to know. Becoming close to. Opening up to. It took me a long time to allow myself to be open and vulnerable to this relationship and then POOF! Before I know it, it's gone. No more considering someone else when making travel plans or figuring out social arrangements. It was the holidays, and I was heart broken. No secret smiles across the dinner table when a family member says something crazy. No snuggling by the tree. No sharing all the insanity of being home with the person I love. All the romantic scarnarios I so looked forward to that seemed easily within my reach were gone in no time at all. I can feel the lump in my throat as I type this and small tears filling my eyes. 
So yes, I have been spending more time on my own, trying to get back to what I used to know as me. Cooking more. Filling up time and space. So I have plenty to share as far as recipes. However, the plain old truth is I haven't felt like sharing anything. 
But every day gets better and I get more and more used to being on my own again. I took a trip to the Greenmarket in Union Square this afternoon. After the rush of the holidays it was fairly mellow and I basked in a late afternoon glimpse of the sun. Followed by a trip to Trader Joe's, which is always a test of patience and determination to get through the lines, to stock up for the week on healthy, wholesome items like brown rice, spinach, light coconut milk, sweet potatoes, almond milk, etc. Plus a last minute purchase, the only carbonated sweet beverage I will buy (I refuse to call it 'soda'), 

REED'S EXTRA GINGER BREW.  This stuff is the real deal. Like they make in Jamaica, 'mon'. Imagine standing in a line wrapped all the way around the store for a half hour. You're bound to pull some items off the outer rim shelves that weren't on your list. 
Then off to a hot, sweaty, lovely and divine yoga class at NewYorkYoga. It was the first time I had been to this studio and I loved it. My friend and amazingly beautiful and talented teacher, Rachel Page was leading this class and I love her flow and sequencing. It always feels so right on my body. I came home to cook and enjoy an evening with a little Monday Night Football, a little chat with Mom, and this blog entry. I'm getting back to me. Slowly but surely. 
Here is what I made tonight, which I thought was lovely and simple. I 'cheated' and used a bag of pre-washed and pre-cut root vegetables consisting of parsnips, sweet potatoes and butternut squash that I picked up during my Trader Joe's visit. And I couldn't be happier about it. 

ROOT VEGETABLE ROAST:

Variety of root vegetables cut in cubes (Parsnips, Sweet Potato, Winter Squash, Rutabaga)
Brussel Sprouts (washed and halved)
4-5 Garlic Cloves 
Yellow or Red Onion
Olive Oil
Quality Sea Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375*. Place all vegetables in large mixing bowl and pour olive oil liberally over vegetables. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and stir and mix with hands (I've said this before . . . it makes an AMAZING salt scrub for your hands! Who needs a manicure?!?) Dump mixture into baking dish or casserole dish large enough so all are touching bottom of dish. Bake for 35-45 minutes, depending how thick your cuts are or how well done you like your vegetables. Serve warm. Excellent side dish for hearty winter meat dishes. But me? I just dumped them over a wild brown rice mix. To me it was heaven. Simple and beautiful.

All is quiet in the apartment. My phone doesn't ring as often and my messages are fewer. But I have many more recipes to post and blogs to write. This is the healthiest way I can think of to help myself and help others, too.  Thank you.