Farmer's Market Spring Recipe Favorite

I'm lucky to live just a few blocks from the Des Moines Farmer's Market.  Tomorrow, I'll be stopping at the Grinnell Heritage Farm booth for fresh asparagus while it's still in season and Grade A Gardens for their garlic scapes.

This recipe is one of my favorite spring meals.  Who am I kidding I love every recipe with bacon in it.  I hope you enjoy this holiday weekend with good food and smiles.  Maybe I'll bump into you at the market.

Springtime Asparagus & Noodles 

Ingredients*

• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1/3 carton cherry or grape tomatoes; cut in quarters
• 3 garlic scapes; chopped (optional)
• 1 bunch of asparagus, chopped*
• Noodles*
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 lb bacon* cut into pieces
• salt
• pepper

Directions

1. Cut veggies and set aside.
2. Cook noodles according to package instructions.  Drain and set aside.  (You may cook the noodles while continuing with the next step.
3. In a large (approx. 4 qt pan) bring the olive oil and bacon to a medium temperature. 
4. Continue cooking the bacon until edges become crispy.  Stir occasionally.  There may be some grits stuck to the pan... no worries.  It will add flavor to the dish.
5. Add garlic, tomatoes, and asparagus to the pan with the bacon.  Stir occasionally.  Salt & pepper to taste.
6. Check the asparagus by spearing it with a fork... when it is soft and the fork goes in easily the dish is ready for the noodles to be added.  It may take about 5-10 minutes before you're ready to add the noodles.
7. Turn the pan to medium low.  Stir the noodles in with the other ingredients
8. Continue to heat until the noodles are warm.

*Ingredient Tricks

• A little trick for getting the best of your asparagus... Take the end of the asparagus between your thumb and forefinger and bend until it breaks. The asparagus breaks where the woody part ends and the fresh, juicy asparagus begins. So you don't need to worry about breaking off too much or too little.
• I like the Ancient Grains gluten free elbow noodles which are sold in most health food sections.
• Of course most bacon will do; Beeler's bacon really is the best.  This Iowa business raises pigs humanely and in a way that allows the meat to be free from unnecessary chemicals.  I prefer Beeler's available at Hy-Vee & Campbell's Nuitrition Des Moines

Almond Milkshake [Dairy & Sugar Free]

Summer begs for us to satiate our sweet tooth with a cold treat. This milkshake is easy to make, full of flavor and filling. The vitamins, minerals and other nutrients come from their root source which allows the synergistic effects to help your body absorb and embrace the benefits.

I don’t follow a diet but rather make choices in what I eat to best support my mind, body and spirit. Sounds like it could be called a holistic diet then. Anyway for me, eating foods free from dairy, gluten, sugar, chicken and rice keeps me strong and full of life. I’m hoping you’ll love this treat too!

Almond Milkshake

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almonds (soaked)
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 cup (wet measure) medjool dates [about 15 medium sized dates]
• 3 Tbs. almond butter 
• 3 Tbs. raw cacao powder
• 2-3 tsp. vanilla extract 
• 1 Tbs. coconut butter
• Pinch sea salt

Directions:

1. Make almond milk by blending 1 cup soaked almonds with 3 cups of water and a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
2. Pour 1 cup of the almond milk in ice cube tray.  2 cups of almond milk should remain.
3. Add 1/2 cup medjool dates as a wet measure.  To do a wet measure add the dates into the milk and measure by how much the liquid rises. With 2 cups of almond milk, you will add the dates until the milk rises to 2 1/2 cups. Make sure the dates are fully immersed in the liquid.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients (almond butter, cacao powder, vanilla, coconut butter & sea salt) to the blender of milk and dates.  
5. Blend well to emulsify the dates.
6. Chill the milkshake.
7. Add 1 tray of the creamy almond milk ice cubes 
8. Blend on low to break up ice cubes.
9. Pour & enjoy =)

Recipe inspired by Chaya-Ryvka.

More Than a Happy Belly

One way to my heart is through my belly.  Each meal serves as a source of life giving energy.  Mental clarity and weight control are a few other benefits of a wholesome breakfast.  I have been mixing it up in the kitchen and hope you’ll find my new favs mouthwatering or inspiring.  More recipe ideas can be found on my Pinterest Yummy board.

• Pumpkin Quinoa Breakfast – Super easy, nutrient rich, full of flavor and you can make it the night before.
• Eggs & Sauteed Veggies – Mix and match these veggies: peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, cabbage, bok choy, green onions, chard, chives and avocado.  You can even toss in a lil sweet potato.
• Breakfast Burritos – Add a sprinkle of cumin and red pepper flakes to your scrambled eggs and or veggies then throw in a tortilla.  The spice kicks it up a notch without the need for extra salt or cheese.  The veggies can be leftover, cooked or raw.  You can even buy them cut at the store fresh or frozen.
• Quinoa Flakes – I like to add 2 teaspoons of coconut oil per serving for a little extra flavor.  Fresh mint leaves also add to this belly warming breakfast.    

Breakfast does more than make my belly happy.  It begins my day with love and intention.  When I take the time to prepare and eat a meal in the morning, I honor my need for nourishment and ground myself in peace.  May you savor your next breakfast in the company of family, friends or in your own quiet meditation.

Feast on Gratitude

Food fuels much more than the body.  A good (or bad) meal can bring strangers together and friends closer.  It is no wonder than many religious traditions celebrate breaking bread as a community.  It is truly with intention that a meal unites bridging the gaps of time, language, and age.

My allergies to dairy and gluten can present a challenge at restaurants or with friends and family; however, I have been blessed with beautiful meals that have indeed been shared with love.  As I write this, I feast on gratitude for those that have put a dash of love on my plate.

Here are some delicious recipes I have enjoyed with friends and think you will too!

Tahini Sauce 
1/4 C lemon juice
1/2 C canola oil (I usually use olive)
1/4 C tamari or Bragg's (I use the coconut aminos)
1/3 C tahini
1 Tbsp finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic
1 Tbsp maple syrup
1/4 C water

Combine in blender and blend until smooth.  Tastes delicious with blanched kale.

Honey-Balsamic Bean Salad - This salad has a zippy flavor that can be a lil addictive.  ;)  Would also be good with cherry tomatoes and a bit more romaine than the recipe calls for.

Spinach Quinoa Socca Cakes - Full of flavor, these cakes are good any time of day.  The "batter" can be made and stored in the fridge for a quick healthy dinner or breakfast.

Wild Stuffed Roasted Squash - The stuffing is good in and out of the squash.  I recommend adding oil and spice to the squash prior to stuffing.

Things I Learned From... The Kitchen

You can taste love.

More does not equal better.

With intention anything can have magic... including sea salt.

There are no limitations only choices.

Cooking & dishes are best done with love and breath.

Delicious Recipes
Maple Sunbutter Apple Dip (vegan)

Roasted Vegetable & Quinoa Salad

Zesty Black Bean Soup


Interesting Articles
Top Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products - This article clearly lays out what ingredients have become common in the products we use daily and why we should avoid them. Don't hesitate to talk to me about great alternative products free from the icky chemicals.

200 Key Sanskrit Yoga Terms - All in a name? But what if you don't understand? This glossary is a great resource to bookmark. Not only does it define language common to yoga, it links to valuable articles and other tools.

Yoga Demystified - The Six Big Ideas - Yoga philosophy is sublimely simple, profound, and livable. Yet it can be difficult to grasp because of its unfamiliar language and complex history. This article shares the depth our yoga practice strives to reach.

Recipes & Articles

Delicious Recipes
Stir-Fried Cabbage with Red Chile Peppers, Peanuts, and Peas - packed full of flavor & easy to make... serve alone or with rice

Two Bean Vegetarian Chili

Interesting Articles
Yin & Yang of Fitness - The Best of Both Worlds - many cutting-edge coaches and trainers are moving away from the "all-intensity, all-the-time" model and toward a more integrated approach that blends the best of two worlds. Call it yin-yang fitness: Integrative exercise programs that combine the mind-body awareness often associated with "Eastern" methods with a more physical go-hard-or-go-home "Western" approach to build whole-person fitness from the inside out.

Addiction to Sugar is No Joke - Sugar stimulates some of the same neurotransmitters as, and in a manner similar to, alcohol, cocaine, and other drugs of abuse.

Extra Sensory Perceptions - Neurologists and others who study perception have long disagreed on the number of senses we possess to help us navigate our way through life.

Start with You

Who you are and what you do creates a ripple effect. As we extend the closing salutation Namaste we honor this in each other. In addition to the article on the ripple effect I highly recommend this blog post Live Your Purpose, Not Your Fears.

For your bellly, 11 Healthy, Tasty No-Cook Recipes for Cool Summer Meals

For your reflection, from author Jackson Kiddard
          I prayed for change, so I changed my mind.
          I prayed for guidance and learned to trust myself.
          I prayed for happiness and realized I am not my ego.
          I prayed for peace and learned to accept others unconditionally.
          I prayed for abundance and realized my doubt kept it out.
          I prayed for wealth and realized it is my health.
          I prayed for a miracle and realized I am the miracle.
          I prayed for a soul mate and realized I am the One.
          I prayed for love and realized it's always knocking, but I have to allow it in.

Smoke & Mirrors

A couple things before I share the smokes & mirrors... First, I am super excited to be teaching 300+ yogis at Yoga in the Park this Saturday and would love to see you (& introduce you to my almost 5 yr old sister - a yoga teacher in her own rights)!

Next, I had to laugh when I checked the statistics of one of my newsletters... the link you all clicked the most... Morning Mojitos. I'm guessing many of you were surprised (and maybe disappointed) to see no alcohol in the recipe. Well this time I raise a glass and share a Red Sangria recipe I think you will enjoy. Cheers!

All too often I hear about the need for flexibility in order to "do yoga". When really the smoke and mirrors of yoga is the balance between strength and softness. I know you have seen that gal doing an incredible pose ... and with a smile. What you don't see is the muscle power behind the pose. I see it everyday in my classes and on my own mat, strength opens the door to flexibility... never the other way around. What still amazes me is the surprise and shock I see in you when you complete an action that seemed so impossible. You have the strength and therefore the ability to do so much more than you can even imagine! I believe in you!

Remember I said it is with a balance of strength and softness we practice yoga. If we over contract our muscles or bring unnecessary tension into the body, we end up holding ourselves back. We become rigid. Can you see how the lesson extends off the mat?

I have encountered several major life challenges the past 18 months and have taken the opportunity to explore this balance of strength and softness. You may have seen the strength and at times you may have witnessed the softer side. Whatever you have seen, I want you to know that you undoubtedly have shared with me wisdom, love and friendship. The many gifts you have shared fuel me to journey with grace. It is with a soft heart that I extend my gratitude to you.

Cook & Eat with Intention

I cooked a dish for Mother's Day and my almost 5-year-old sister says, "Did you put some love in it?" That is exactly what cooking with intention is all about. Whether it is taking time to bless the food before you eat or cutting/stirring the ingredients with peace or sprinkling in a little love, let's cook and eat with intention.

Here are some flavor packed (& healthy) recipes you may want to try:

Tangy Citrus Lemonade
Morning Mojito
Sweet Potato & Lentil Packet (great for the grill)
20 Vegetable Side Dishes
Cashew Chipotle "Cheese" Dip