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Weekend to do’s

Hi my loves- TGIF! I hope you have had a great week and have a beautiful weekend ahead of you. It’s currently thunder storming but the rest of the weekend is supposed to be gorgeous and not too hot! My fire escape garden is really looking good already and I am hoping to get in time to plant some flowers. What are your plans?

Here’s another recipe for you. You must make this soup!!

Summer cucumber watermelon gazpacho

Super east to make and all you to is have to blend it up or use the food processor.

This picture is actually missing one of the ingredients (and I didn’t use any olive oil- but you could use a drizzle).

1 and 3/4 cucumber (peeled and seeds removed)

Small (on the larger side) piece of watermelon. You could use a bigger piece if you want it to be sweeter

Onion and garlic to taste

Cilantro (this isn’t pictured) and I used a good amount because I love the flavor.

Blend away and refrigerate so it’s extra cold!

As you can see this makes about two of those bowls pictured above so you can always freeze the extra…or slurp it down the next day like I did. I actually went to the store to get another piece of watermelon to make more tonight. You can also add tomatoes or peppers as well. Let me know if you make it! It would be great for a summer party and you can serve in little bowls as an appetizer for everyone to get a taste.

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Here’s my weekend TO DO list:

Teach the 200 hour yoga teacher trainers

See my Granny and sister

Spend time with Brad Pitt

Dinner at Tio Pepe’s

Make green juice and green smoothies

Get my yoga on (probably with yogaglo)

Go to the farmers market and get some kale

Work on my art journal

Life is good!

(source)

I want you to check out a video featuring Kim Manfredi! It’s done by Becca Saag (daughter of one of my yoga teacher friends). It’s featured in a film showcase and I would love for you to vote for it! It’s beautifully done. Please click on the stars below the blurb to vote! I couldn’t get the video to come up but click here to see it.

Have a great weekend!!

xox- C

Tags: recipes, vegan, vegetarian, videos

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Thanksgiving Recap

28 Nov

Hi!!! How was your holiday weekend??? Mine was just like yours I’m sure- lots of eating, sipping wine, seeing family and friends, eating more food. Good all around!

Who cooked?? I want to know what you made! I contributed a few items to our Thanksgiving dinner and they all turned out really well!! But I did manage to burn my hand and slice my finger while trying to make it all happen. I guess that’s what happens when you cook and bake! Here’s the deets on what I made!

Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake

This recipe was super easy and it turned out really well (my over is just from 1800 sometimes things get a little brown). Everything is from scratch and well- it’s not vegan! Smile

Roasted Red Potatoes

Vegan. Rinse/clean the skin, peel about half, and cut to the size you’d like. I coated mine in olive oil, added whole garlic cloves, a little salt, and fresh rosemary. Cook for about 35 mins- stirring every 10 or so, until brown, at 400 (I cooked mine at about 350 because my oven is old).

So good! You can also do the same with sweet potatoes and you can peel them, cut them up like fries and cook. Make this immediately!

Yeahhhh homemade bread! I made the recipe I mentioned before and it makes a ton of bread! Not hard to make, you just have to wait for the bread to rise and that kind of takes a while. Really good toasted with Earth Balance.

Looks like a fun time right??? Just looking at all the food makes me feel stuffed to the brim!

I hope you all had a safe and happy Thanksgiving and took the time to tell the people you care about that you love them. But remember to do that everyday not just on special holidays.

I thought this was hilarious so I had to post it.

T’was the night of Thanksgiving,
But I just couldn’t sleep.
I tried counting backwards,
I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned,
The dark meat and white.
But I fought the temptation,
With all of my might.
Tossing and turning,
with anticipation.
The thought of a snack
became infatuation.
So I raced to the kitchen,
Flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge,
Full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey,
And buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots,
Beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling,
So plump and so round.
‘til all of a sudden,
I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling,
Floating into the sky,
With a mouthful of pudding,
And a handful of pie.
But I managed to yell
As I soared past the trees
Happy eating to all,
Pass the cranberries, please!!
May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious,
May your pies take the prize
And May your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off of your thighs!
by Lauren (source)

Lol!

xoxox, Camille

Tags: family, holidays, quotes, recipes, vegan

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All wrapped up

21 Nov

Hi! How was your weekend???? Mine started out with no real plans but then included the following:

Two trips for Forever 21

Two yoga classes at Charm City Yoga

Movie night to see the Ides of March

See my granny and proceed to eat her food

Help my sister move for the 3rd time this year

(This is M’s roommates dog- so cute!)

Baked cookies (see below)

Tackled laundry mountain

The list goes on! Pretty productive I’d say.

After yoga on Saturday am I went to Zia’s café in Towson and got some yummy juice- I think it was ginger, lemon, apple, pear…probably something else that I’m forgetting. And while it was amazing- the service pretty much sucked. I could’ve made my juice myself! It’s been my experience though that a lot of juice and smoothie places have crappy service. Why is that???

So are you ready for Thanksgiving??? I cannot believe the holidays are here and that I am thinking about Christmas gifts! Fall just got here! Every year it comes faster and faster. I just keep telling myself summer will be here before you know it (because I don’t like to be freezing cold or paying for my high gas and electric bill!).

I made vegan cookies today and they would be great for Thanksgiving (and Meatless Monday at that!)! Vegan, oatmeal, raisin, pumpkin, walnut cookies!

So I can’t take credit for these because they’re another one of Emily’s recipes. I followed her directions exactly except for the fact that I decided to add walnuts and probably added a few more raisins! They are so so good.

Check out the recipe here and like I said before- you should read her blog. She just had a baby a month ago and he is adorable!

Yummmmmyyyyyyy Smile

Let me know if you make them!

**Are you making anything for Thanksgiving dinner? If you are what is it? Are you traveling?**

Share with me! If you want to email me after your Thanksgiving feast with pics of what you made I will post them on the blog. I’m hoping to make mini potatoes with rosemary and garlic, maybe this pie recipe (which is CLEARLY not vegan in any way!), and then maybe this bread which is vegan!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Before I go I wanted to ask for your opinions on how you tackle tough decisions and how do you accept responsibility for your actions? Life is full of lemons and things happen and I think unfortunately by nature that we tend to be selfish beings. We look out for number one…a lot. I’m not preaching right or wrong here- but as we get older I think it’s so important to live every day as a kind and loving being. To your friends, family, animals and the plants! I guess what I’m trying to say is that the more I become aware of my own actions I can’t help but notice how everyone else handles theirs. It’s tricky and it’s a process. But c’est la vie right? Maybe I will talk about karma later this week.

See you tomorrow!!

<3, C

Tags: friends, juice, meatless monday, quotes, recipes, something to think about, vegan

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Mind Your Manners

14 Nov

Hi! Happy Monday! I hope y’all had a nice weekend. Things were pretty low key again over here because I had to work.

I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who reads my blog. I know how many of you read it and I can see the stats and they’re amazing. I love you guys!

I know I don’t post all the time but I’m trying to keep it authentic for you and I will post tomorrow. Smile

Look at these crazy pics I took last week.

Bahahahahahaha- I broke a sweat trying to get just ONE of me in the air! Silly I know. But I couldn’t help it.

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So I wanted to talk about Yoga Class Etiquette

**Disclaimer: the following statements are solely my opinion and my own views and are not the views of any place where I currently or previously have taught yoga classes.**

What I am about to say really can apply to any group fitness class and I would love to know your thoughts and opinions! Here we go, in no particular order.

1. Do your research. If you are new to a yoga studio or class, be sure to go online to their website and see what is available. Read the description of the class you plan on taking. Is it beginner/intermediate/all levels/advanced/restorative etc? You should know before you walk in the room. Be sure to tell the teacher if you have injuries, sickness, etc so they know. It is our job as a teacher to meet our students however, this doesn’t always occur and if you have an injury or recovering from one we may not always know.

Also- you need to do your research to be prepared for the class. I cannot even begin to tell you how many people I see who come to HOT yoga without a towel and water. Ummm- yeah you know what I’m thinking.

2. Be on time. This should explain itself but again you’d be surprised. I understand that life happens and there are accidents, bad traffic, babysitters are late- but you should arrive in a timely fashion and get there before the class starts. And if you are late- should have your towel, water, etc in your hand when you walk out the door.

I say this so you don’t have to run in and out of the room disturbing the peace of the class.

3. Refrain from talking. If you have been in my class, you know that I am funny (or try to be) and quirky and teach in a very light hearted manner. So yes, it’s ok if you laugh and what not, but when you are in a yoga class it is not time to talk to your friends once the class has begun.

Yoga can be awkward and sometimes uncomfortable when you’re balancing on one leg and I understand that, but you don’t need to chat with your friends during the class.

4. Listen to your own body. We say this all the time. This means that if it’s too much for you physically and emotionally- you need to back off. Now of course there is the mental part of challenging yourself but I am not talking about that here. One example is that there was a gentleman in my class who had never done yoga, swore up and down to me he was in shape and that he could do an advanced class. Of course I did what I could to assist him, but I really told him he should take some beginners class first. I felt awkward saying that to him- but it was for his own safety’s sake. If you need to rest- rest.

This brings me to my next number on the list.

5. Listen to the teacher/instructor and follow their directions. You are free to modify any and all of the poses in the class- however you should still follow along with what is being taught- whether it’s too easy or not. I find that is it a distraction and very disrespectful when a student in the class does their own thing- and again I am not talking about a modification. I personally think that the point of going to any class is to be guided and led. If you don’t want that you should practice on your own.

6. Try to stay in the room- including savasana. The purpose of spending an hour or 90 minutes practicing is to relax at the end; to find complete stillness. I asked some of my twitter buddies about what their pet peeves in yoga class were and this was a huge one!

As I stated above- these are just my own personal opinions but after talking with a few people who agreed with my feelings, it seemed like I should share. And of course I would LOVE to know your thoughts (which can apply to any fitness class too!)

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Since it’s Monday- and Meatless Monday at that- here’s some vegan muffins that I made over the weekend…and yeah they’re all gone now. Lol- I have half to my parents!

I can’t take credit for the recipe of course, but check them out here- Whole Wheat Blueberry Banana Muffins- on Emily’s site Daily Garnish. Like I said- vegan! And super easy to make.

I hope you had a great weekend!!!

xxx, C

Tags: family, meatless monday, something to think about, vegan, yoga

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Monday Funday

25 Oct

Hi!!!! How was your Monday?? I have to say- mine was pretty fantastic- and well- who likes Mondays?? Normally I am not a fan- but today was fabulous. Also- it’s Meatless Monday. Did you eat your veggies like your mother told you to?

But before I go into that- that’s my bestie from college who I haven’t seen in a YEAR! We had lunch yesterday. I miss you J!!! Here we are through the years (sadly I don’t have any college pics on my laptop)

That first one I think we are 19 (and underage. Whoops). Anyways!

So- did you eat your vegetarian meals today? I did. Like I said- I just think it’s good to try just ONCE a week to see if you can do it. The whole reason behind it being Monday is that it’s the beginning of the week and we are more likely to achieve goals when you start with a clean slate for the week. But you can always check out the website for more information!

I had green juice this am. Look at this.

Obviously I didn’t even realize that the back wasn’t attached until pulverized carrots were flying everywhere! Goodness. Lol

In the mix was:

Cucumber

Carrots

Lemon

Apple

Kale

Gingerrrrr

YUMMMMMM- Honestly if I eat really clean with a lot of fruit and veggies and not any alcohol and cheese (even though I love those things) I just feel better.

This was a mix of olives, a stuffed grape leave, chickpeas, and marinated artichoke hearts. All from Wegman’s.

These were yummy summer rolls- also from Wegman’s (I tend to go there on Monday’s). The filling had avocado, cucumber, carrots, and cabbage. Really good!

I made this salad for dinner tonight after I taught and took hot yoga. It looks big- but it was perfect for dinner. I didn’t eat anything else after except a few vegan chocolate chips from Trader Joe’s.

In the mix was:

Romaine Lettuce, black beans, garbanzo beans, mung bean sprouts, broccoli and carrot slaw, cucumber, avocado, onion, nutritional yeast…I think that’s is. And I added a little of Goddess Dressing- I guess Annie’s is the original- but mine is from Whole Foods. It’s a tahini based dressing- tasty and vegan!

OK so I didn’t eat any of this today- but I’ve had it before. VEGAN ICE CREAM- chocolate cookie dough! Holy Yum I tell you. And look- little precious likes its. Also- this is made with coconut milk- not soy. Even better!

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So remember- eat your veggies because your mother always told you to.

My day became wonderful because I finally got a new phone! I love my new iPhone!!

If you haven’t notice by now, I’m quite good at taking picks of myself. Smile!

One last side note- my friend Heather’s son Regan- is still in the icu recovering after being hit by a car- but he is progressing well and even stood up today! Please keep thinking positive thoughts for them and their family!!

I know so many of you read my blog (because I can see that I get over 100 hits when I post something) so please send me a comment (!!!) and let me know what you’d like for me to write about. I’d love your input!!

It’s being here now that’s important. There’s no past and there’s no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can’t relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don’t know if there is one.” ~George Harrison

Tags: food, friends, meatless monday, vegan, vegetarian

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Meatless Monday or Tuesday

12 Oct

Hi! How is your week unfolding??? I am so happy that the weather is getting cooler. I’m just waiting for the leaves to change. I love fall!e

I went to zumba last night and of course my knee is swollen today so I’ve been doing the usual to-do list around my place today before I have to teach all night. Paying bills, laundry, dishes, all of that. I have to take little precious back to the vet yesterday am so- the chaos is finally calming down. But there are some serious knots in my left shoulder let me tell you.

Poor thing- now I’m forcing medicine down his throat. But if I throw some cat nip in that box.

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So I wanted to talk to you guys about Meatless Monday. The premise behind this is cutting out meat one day a week. According to their website, the point of going meatless on Monday is that Monday is the beginning of the week- the star over point where you’re moving on from the previous weeks events and the weekend. Like a clean slate.

As you all know- I love vegetarian food as well as food in general. But I think eating veggie meals are important for numerous reasons. I am not here to preach or to convince you to become vegan or vegetarian (even though there are blogs out there that will try to). But- some of the main reasons that speak to me are the following:

Your mother told you to eat your veggies- so you just should. Period.
It is better for the environment. We cut down trees and plants all day long to make more space for animals that are bred in poor conditions so we can have our steak for dinner. We need plants to live so obviously- we need to stop hurting the landscape.
From personal experience with stomach problems- eating veggies helps with digestion. The majority of African American and Asians are lactose intolerant- as well as thousands of Americans! I know cheese tastes good. Seriously- I’m the one who will eat the whole wheel of cheese! But- is the stomach ache really worth the pain? Probably not. Veggie diets are full of fiber (so yes, duh, if you beans you will be gassy lol)- but you will be regular! I’m just trying to put it nicely.
You will help the animals!!!! Who doesn’t love animals!? Come on- everyone does. I have read numerous books and seen many movies about animal cruelty that beaks my heart and makes me physically ill. I’m not asking you to read those, but it will change the way you eat if you think about that before you grill up your burger.
Colon cancer runs in my family and there are many links to a carnivorous diet and cancer. My cousin who is 37 (!!!) had to have surgery last year and had to deliver her daughter 2 months early because she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She and her family (husband and the children) have now been vegan for almost a year!

Ok so those are just a few and I am happy to go into it more if you guys would like. But I would love it if you take the Meatless Monday pledge on their website and see if you can go meat free once a week! I promise- it’s easy!! And yes- lordy- you will get enough protein!

Here are some ideas!

Jalapeño cilantro hummus

Greek bean and veggie salad

Coconut curried veggies and lentils

Vegan Pizza

All the smoothies you want- click here for ideas

Green juice- this one was half a stalk of celery, abt 3 handfuls of spring lettuce mix, 3/4 lemon, 1 pear, and 1 apple plus fresh ginger- so good!

Yeah- too much to wrap it all up- wrap fail! Lol

Let’s see- this had lettuce spring mix, chopped onion, tomato, avocado, bean sprouts, and a dash of dressing if you like of your choice. You could always humus too!

So you can eat your veggies (like your mother told you to) and be full and healthy!

Here’s a list of other resources that can help you make meatless Monday easy! And of course these are some links and books that I also like.

Peas and Thank You

Love Veggies and Yoga

Daily Garnish

Diet for a New America by John Robbins- one of the first books I read by my first vegan friend back in high school

The Ethics of What We Eat by Peter Singer (he is a wonderful philosopher and has written for years about animal rights. I heard him speak in college.

Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr- just go to her website and read about her. LIVING with cancer for years because she is vegan. Amazing.

The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone- Check out her healthy living website as well.

Yoga and Vegetarianism by Sharon Gannon

The Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen- great and easy vegetarian recipes- a def go to!

The Raw Food Detox Diet by Natalia Rose- turned me on to juicing, raw healthy soups and smoothies!! **From personal experience, if you don’t do raw on the regular, it can be a bit rough on your tummy. Just saying.**

Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen by Ani Pho This book is amazing! I have made TONS of her recipes. Love her!

Eat, drink, and be vegan by Dreena Burton

So these are just a FEW of the many many resources that are out there and you can start with easy steps like switching milk to almond or rice milk and using Earth balance instead of butter.

When I was in San Francisco in December, I met a woman who owned a vegan restaurant. She asked if I was vegan and when I said no- she told me that I should be because the animals would thank me and that I had good karma. Smile

Vegetarianism preserves live, health, peace, the ecology, creates a more equitable distribution of resources, helps to feed the hungry, encourages nonviolence for the animal and human members of the planet, and is a powerful aid for the spiritual transformation of the body, emotions, mind, and spirit. ~Gabriel Cousens

This is vegan! I’ve showed you this picture before! It’s making me hungry just think about how good it was! Yummmmm!

Let me know what you guys think!!!

xoxo, C

Tags: food, presley, recipes, vegan, vegetarian

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T is for Tuesday

14 Sep

Hi there- Sorry for the lame post name. I had no idea what to title this! How was your Tuesday?? Nothing too crazy over here today. I spent the morning organizing my life- aka- my apartment with the laundry and the dishes that are pretty much never ending!

The weather was beautiful but I am sooo ready for it to be a few degrees cooler. It’s supposed to be 90 tomorrow. No thanks! Anyone else with me?

I spent the evening teaching yogaaaaaaa.

Hi Sarah!!!! Laura R if you are reading this- we miss you!!!!

Hi James!

Hi Sammy Smile

So for all of you who refuse to get in pictures when I see you- well you don’t make the blog!

I have another recipe for you!

Bean and Veggie Greek Salad

So easy and sooooo good!

Chickpeas rinsed and drained

Black beans rinsed and drained

1/4 cucumber peeled and diced

Grape tomatoes chopped

Onion- if you like diced

Handful of bean sprouts

Combine in a bowl and add Greek dressing (olive oil, apple cider vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic to taste)

Make this for lunch tomorrow!!! You can add feta cheese if you like. So good and easy to make!!!

This is by no means turning into a food blog. But since having so many injuries I’m just trying to clean things up a little. Like the no drinking and of course eating a lot of yummy vegan food!

Giving up my wine is definitely proving to be a challenge because I really do enjoy the taste of it and trying new wines. And anyone who knows me knows that I love bubbly. But- if I can’t work out like I used to, I guess I feel like I have to try to clean some things up on the inside!

Something to think about:

Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they’re supposed to help you discover who you are. ~Bernice Johnson Reagon

See you tomorrow!!!!

Much much love,

Camille

Tags: friends, quotes, recipes, vegan

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Destined to Be

13 Sep

Hey hey- How was your Monday?? I know- it comes up so fast I can barely stand it! was looking over my calendar trying to figure out when I can go camping for a weekend and well- things are being booked up by the second! I guess that’s the way it goes sometime. Things were pretty productive over here…taught some classes, iced my knee, went to Wegmans, helped my sis try to find a new apartment…all very exciting.

So look at this:

Holy amazing. I was destined to be a yogini. Lol. I looked at my phone this am and my childhood friend Annie sent this to me. I cracked up laughing.

Look at this one:

Apparently I loved cats- even back then.

Meowwwwww!

So funny. Look at my teeth- so bad! Can you tell I was a thumb sucker? Thank you mother for my braces and I still wear my retainer from 7th. grade every night. Yes, I do. And so does my sister. Lol

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Here’s something you don’t know about me. Well first one thing you do know. I love to cook. Well- concoct things really. I can make green juice, I can make smoothies of all kinds, dips (crap dip, spinach, taco, hummus, black bean etc), I can bake bread, cookies, muffins, yummy salads, who knows!

But what you don’t know is- when I cook, the kitchen looks like a bomb went off. I almost took a picture but…it’s that bad lol.

However, I have a yummy vegan recipe for you!

I call this Coconut curried lentils and veggies

Directions:

Steam broccoli, cauliflower, and bean sprouts till they’re cooked.

At the same time, cook 1 cup of lentils (add 1 1/2 cup of water and boil, then simmer)

Once all of that is cooked- add the veggies to the lentils. Add curry powder, chopped onions, chopped apples and 1/2 cup of coconut milk.

Stir and simmer.

Add garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin if you like- to your taste. I don’t ever really measure things when I’m making it up myself.

You can’t see- but there was definitely some messy spilling on the side!

You have to let everything simmer for a little while because of the lentils. So simmer and taste and when you’re finished- pour in a bowl and enjoy!!!