HELLO?!  Are you there, Blog?  It’s me, Healthy Chow!  Did you all miss me?  Well, I’ve certainly missed you and didn’t spend one day not thinking of all my dear bloggie friends.  My apologies for being MIA.  I think it’s been over 3 months?  (hangs her head in disgust) But thank you to all those who emailed me, left me comments and sent me tweets asking if I was OK.  Muah! You know how to make a gal feel loved!

So, I bet you’re wondering what I was up to while I was on my hiatus?  Well, I’ve been quite the busy lil’ bee.  I have a huge project that I’ll be launching any day now, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.  It’s not quite ready yet, but it.is.this.close.  I’m so excited!  I want to scream my news from the rooftops, but the time isn’t quite right.  Not just yet.  But have no fear, good things come to those that wait…

In the meantime, I wanted to make my return to the blogging world and let you know that I’m back.  My blog is going to change a bit in terms of content, format and appearance (and perhaps even a name change!).  But, it will still be the same woman behind the words.  That will not ever change, rest assured.

Since it was about a year to this day when I published my very first blog post, I thought it would be apropos to make today my rebirth back into the blogging world.  After all, today is my birthday!  Remember last year’s post?  It’s farewell to my Larry Bird birthday, and hello to my…Paul Pierce?  Yeah, that one doesn’t work as well.  But whatever it is, it’s a new year and I have many fantastic and new things on the horizon.  And pretty soon, it will all be out of the BAG…

Look who came to say hello!

So what have you been up to since I’ve been away?  Tell me what’s up!  Anyone have any exciting news?!

***And happy birthday to my twin and one any only sister.  You are the best sister EVER and I don’t know what I would do without you!!!  I love you!***

Namasté,
Nicole

Image Credit – bostonmarathon.org

The Top Finishers of the 2010 Boston Marathon: Teyba Erkesso (ETH) 2:26:11 and Robert Cheruiyot (KEN) 2:05:52

I don’t know about you, but whenever I think of a marathon, I hear the theme song from Chariots of Fire in my head.  And this past weekend, that was the only song in the jukebox.  Yesterday was the 2010 Boston Marathon and if you live in Boston like me, you know it’s pretty much mayhem all weekend long in city, and especially on Monday (the day of the marathon).  The city gets flooded with people from all over, either to see the marathon or to participate in this race.  Plus, there’s always a Red Sox home game on Marathon Monday and it’s April school vacation week.  Needless to say, everyone and their sister is in Boston.  But then again, it is the world’s oldest annual marathon, so how can you not want to celebrate it and be a part of the action?

Preparations for Marathon Monday

Me crossing the finish line (via car)!

Can you see me in the side view mirror?

Because we literally live around the corner from Beacon Street, where a major portion of the marathon takes place, we only have to walk out of our door in order to join the masses.  With the clear skies and sun shining, we gladly found a spot alongside the marathon route to cheer on the runners.  It was such an inspiring and energizing atmosphere; you couldn’t help but feel the adrenaline rush, as well as the spirit that filled the city.

Arriving on Beacon Street

The sausage and hot dog stand

You can do it!

Check out those cool shoes! The look like feet!

Here they all come!

“Uh, no thanks.”  For some, Marathon Monday = complete madness!

Look at all the people!

Hey Patrick!

You’re almost there!

You can do it, ladies!

And gentlemen!

So much determination!

Congratulations and a job well done to everyone!

While I’m certainly not a runner, watching the marathon always seems to move me (lame pun not intended).  To be able to witness the dedication, heart and athletic prowess of these marathoners first hand makes me think that anything is possible.  People from all over the world came to participate in this race.  They trained days and days on end to get to this one moment.  For some, completing the 26.2 miles isn’t that difficult of a task, as I saw on the news that there was a man who ran the marathon course earlier on Marathon Monday before actually competing in the marathon (that’s 2 marathons in one day, 52.4 miles).  And for some, each mile of the race was a challenge in and of itself.  But no matter where you fall within that spectrum, the one thing that is for certain is that it all began with one step and the desire to put your best foot forward (lame pun totally intended)!

Are you a runner?  Do you like to compete in races or would you rather just run for fun?  What inspires you?

Namasté,
Nicole

Picture this.  You have about 15 minutes to get dressed, 17 minutes if you put your lip gloss on in the car.  You’re standing in front of your closet, and everything you see looks like the leftovers you have from dinner three night’s ago.  The vapid articles of clothing hanging before you will do, but they’re nothing for which you’re going to do the happy dance.   You moan, “I have nothing to wearrrrrrr…” just one more time before you give up on your search.  So, you throw on the first thing you can grab (and that’s clean) and head out the door.  You’re dressed, but certainly not impressed.  Sound familiar?

Image Credit – myescapehatch.blogspot.com

Well, I’ve definitely been in that situation more than a few hundred times, and more recently, this has carried over to my choices in healthy snacking.  While my fridge has the usual suspects of apples, oranges, Greek yogurt, some carrot and celery sticks, and my cupboards are stocked with raw almonds, dried cranberries and rice crackers, I can’t help but want to utter, “I have nothing to eattttttt…!”  Enter Megafruit™.

Just when I was about to reluctantly eat yet another baby carrot, the samples from Megafruit™ arrived at my door.  They came in an unassuming little brown cardboard box, but when I opened it, I was pleasantly surprised.  My samples not only came in this vibrant and adorable packaging, but they were  safely nestled in a Megafruit™-branded wooden crate.  I’m a sucker for presentation and first impressions; this knocked my socks off!  Similar to how one would bring home fresh produce from a farm or farmers market, my Megafruit™ arrived as if it were handpicked.  Plus, I can only imagine the ways I can reuse my nifty new crate (Healthy Chow’s gotta lotta schiz that needs to be organized, if you know what I mean!).

Just a plain lil’ box…

Bam!  So surprisingly cute!

According to their website, “Megafruit™ is the next generation of Superfruits; products that have exceptional nutrient and antioxidant qualities whose benefits are not yet widely known.”  My samples of Megafruit™ came in 3 different flavors (the company’s initial product offering): mangosteen, baby pineapple and lychee.  While I’ve heard of these fruits, I must admit that I had no idea about their nutritional benefits.  Here are some of my favorite facts on each fruit:

Ever seen a mangosteen?

Mangosteen

• Called the queen of fruits
• Has been called the most delicious fruit in the world
• High level of Xanthones – considered to be the most powerful of all antioxidants

Oooh, baby!

Baby Pineapple

• Contains a myriad of beneficial minerals including:
  • Micronutrients may protect against cancer and break up blood clots
  • Bromelins that may block reduces swelling related to arthritis, sore throat, sinusitis
  • Manganese, aiding the healthy growth of tissue and bones
  • Fiber that will help in digestion and stimulate kidneys and aid in flushing toxins from the body

Lovely lychee

Lychee

• Has been claimed to be the fruit the Tang Dynasty Emperor used to woo his loved one, making it a fruit synonymous with love and romance
• Just 9 lychees or a handful of the fruit meets an adult’s recommended daily requirement of Vitamin C (contains 72mg per 100 grams)
• Contains flavonoids which have proven to be effective against the growth of cancer cells

Now that’s some fruit with some mega power!  And guess what?  The taste isn’t what I would call weak either.  Even though Megafruit™ doesn’t contain any sugar, preservatives or additives, it doesn’t mean this dried fruit is lacking in flavor.  In fact, they are delicious!  I’ve never tried a mangosteen before, so I had no idea what to expect.  The mangosteen was the first fruit I tried, and while the flavor is subtle, it is unique and has an indescribable exotic taste (sweet, yet a tad sour at the same time) that had me almost inhaling the entire bag in one sitting.  The baby pineapple is naturally sweet, not artificial tasting like some dried pineapple can taste.  Because the baby pineapple comes in large pieces, they were fun to chew and had a great texture.  This is Patrick’s favorite.  My favorite, hands down, is the lychee.  If you’ve never had lychee, please do yourself a favor and try this, NOW!  My grandmother used to serve us lychee after dinner over a bowl of ice water.  She would peel the fruit and stick toothpicks in them and I swear, I would eat at least 20 at a time.  I haven’t had lychee in years, so for both nostalgic and taste reasons, the lychee is number one for me.  A fresh lychee is crunchy like a grape, but has a much more fragrant and sweet taste.  Megafruit™’s version magically captured a fresh lychee’s essence.

If you can’t already tell, I’m a mega fan of Megafruit™.  For me, there is nothing like a piece of fresh fruit.  However, fresh fruit such as bananas, pears, grapes, etc., can get a bit mundane.  But what do you do when the not-so-common fruit that you do crave, and that tickles your palate is no where to be found?  The answer is in these little goodies that graced my taste buds the other day.  Not only are the flavors of Megafruit™ probably like nothing you’ve ever tasted, but they can provide you with health benefits like nothing you’ve ever known.  Similar to the dried fruit snack I reviewed in this post, Megafruit™ is a wholesome snack that is just the fruit in its most natural form.  There aren’t any fake colors or enhanced flavorings added to the dried fruit to make it appear more appealing.  The Megafruit™ pieces are rustic in appearance, and simply delectable.

The Terrific Trio…

If you’re looking for a quick snack that’s easily portable, healthy and unique, I highly recommend Megafruit™ (available soon on Amazon).  Reach for it the next time you’re in need of a nutritious boost, whether it be sitting at your desk at the office, after a good butt-kicking workout or when you’re on your 5th hour of running errands.  Or, maybe you can snack on a handful as you’re unenthusiastically trying to pick out Monday morning’s outfit.

Some creations I made with my Megafruit™:

Piña Colada Oatmeal – Megafruit™ baby pineapple, dried coconut and nonfat ricotta cheese

Tropical Lychee Orange Delight – Megafruit™ lychee, orange sherbet, Kashi Go Lean cereal and dark chocolate cocoa roast almonds

***If you’d like to win some of your own Megafruit™, not to mention a $100 gift card to Lululemon, check out the fantastic giveaway that Megafruit™ is having here!***

If you had to pick one, what would it be – fruits or vegetables?  What do you do to get out of a ‘wardrobe rut’? How about a ‘food rut’?

Namasté,
Nicole

Image Credit – secret.extrarisk.com

That was me for most of yesterday, and a little right now.  I’m not a migraine sufferer, but yesterday, I had the second one of my life (don’t cry for me, Argentina!).  Holy crap on a cracker! I don’t know how people deal with these on a regular basis?!  Anyhoo, I’m much better today (in case you were wondering ).  Nothing like de-plugging from your laptop for a few hours, staying well-hydrated, and having a hot and humbling yoga sesh this morning to make you feel brand spankin’ new again.  But those sugar-free fudgesicles didn’t seem to hurt either (thanks Patrick).

OK, I’m off to seize the day.  The sun is shining (again) and it feels like summer here in Boston.  I’m grateful for feeling more like myself today, knowing that I can harness the power of breath to keep me calm in my times of need, and having the ground to support me when I’m weak in the knees.  And oh yeah, getting a loving phone call from MHC to see how her precious daughter is doing is always pretty fantastic, too.

Image Credit – tripadvisor.com

Do you have any uncommon cures for headaches?  What seems to always make you feel better (mentally or physically)?

***Are you following Megafruit yet on Twitter?  You really should!  They are giving away 3 – $100 Visa Giftcards at random once they reach 1,000 followers.  What are you waiting for?!***

Namasté,
Nicole

Well, we must have been good lil’ Bostonians because the Easter bunny brought us a glorious weekend.  Dang it! It was so nice, I didn’t want to go inside.  Words can’t describe how good it felt to finally bask in the sun.  For that reason, I’m going to let the beautiful shots I took yesterday do the talking for this post.  I hope you enjoyed your weekend as much as I did mine.  BTW, I promise you’ll see something irresistibly cute once you get to the bottom of my post.  And that’s no bull!

Fanueil Hall

The place where everybody knows your name…

Apparently I thought my dollar sign t-shirt was appropriate Easter attire…

I think most of these people were just killing time until the Sox game…

“What do you think of my profile?…”

Catching some rays…

Gratuitous self-portrait shot

Undoubtedly the quietest spot in Boston (you could hear a pin drop here – seriously!)

Uh, yes please!  I’d be happy to live here!

We shared a fruit cup (we ate the pineapple, honeydew and strawberries before I remembered to take a photo – DOH!)

Duly noted!

What the heck is going on?  What are they all looking at?!

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PUPPIES! (English Bulldog)

They’re only 12 days old and maybe the cutest things EVER!

I don’t think they could even open their eyes…

Look at that face!

The proud papa…

That’s a hard workin’ mama!

Huggin’ it out…

Picture perfect (my favorite shot)

The lights of Fenway are back on!  And we WON!

Are you a sucker for puppies like me?  What’s your favorite kind of dog?  If you had a choice, would you live by the water? Are you excited for the baseball season?

Namasté,
Nicole

I was a happy kid.  I was also a fortunate one.  I had a great childhood.  I had loving parents and a family that loved me, and was more than good to me.  Being that I had such a wonderful upbringing, I have many extraordinary memories (but then again, I do sort of have an elephant’s memory) of all the amazing things I did as a young Healthy Chow.  Some of the memories are really random: sitting in the backseat of my mother’s champagne-y/green colored Volkswagen and staring at the passenger seat’s dangling seat belt while telling myself I should remember that moment for the rest of my life (I think I was about 4 or 5 years old – very random!), cutting pictures of food from magazines with my sister and then pretending I was cooking that meal as I placed those pictures in my kiddie pots and pans (the beginning of the foodie in me), and listening to Johnny Carson’s voice on the television through the shut door of my parents’ room when I was supposed to be asleep (oh yes, Healthy Chow hated to go to bed!).   But most of all, the memories were sweet, special to me, and ones I’ll keep in my mind and heart forever.

Image Credit – thelilbee.com

One of the fondest and most vivid memories I have is spending Easter with my mother’s side of the family.  I remember being dressed in a new Easter outfit (usually identical to my sister’s), attending Easter Mass, rushing home after Mass so I could see what the Easter bunny brought me, and of course, being a part of my Uncle’s Easter egg hunt.  Oh, the Easter egg hunt! My Uncle used to spend so much time hiding both those brightly colored plastic eggs (the ones that broke in half so you could stuff them with candy) and those egg-shaped candy eggs (the ones that no one ate).  Even though the only people that were actually hunting for the eggs were me and Michelle, the competition was fierce.  As Michelle would find an egg, whether it be tucked behind a rock or hiding in the bushes, I would excitedly scurry around the yard trying to do the same in order to keep up.  Finding those pastel and neon-colored eggs was such an adrenaline rush, it brought me closer to beating out my competition and of course, I got to eat more candy.  But as an adult, I now realize that it signified so much more.

Image Credit – ehow.com

As a child, I was carefree and happy-go-lucky.  While racing around my grandparents’ yard looking for the eggs, I had so much hope and excitement.  Finding each egg was an adventure in its own.  There was no recollection of the previous found egg, no worry or stress of where the next egg could be, not even a trace of apprehension that there might not be any more eggs to be found.  There was just the hope and thrill of finding that next egg.  That hope and thrill was what kept me going, it was enough to fuel my fire until the hunt was finally over and it was time for brunch.  And when all was said and done and the only thing that was left was a basket filled to the brim with those brightly colored eggs, all I could do was stare in wonderment at what I had just accomplished and be content.  I was happy with what I had succeeded in achieving, and proud of all that was in front of me.  I was surrounded by my loved ones, having the time of my life, and filled with an overwhelming feeling of optimism.

Image Credit – croneandbearit.wordpress.com

Naturally, I didn’t realize the significance of the egg hunt when I was a little girl.  Back then, I’m sure I was just psyched to get a basket full of trinkets and have more than enough candy to eat for the next several months.  But as I now reflect, I can see that often times what we seek in life, is something that we had all along.  We are all born with the dreams and desire to be and have anything we want, it’s just a matter of finding it.

(Young Healthy Chow with Michelle and Cookie in front of our grandparents’ yard)

Happy Easter!  Do you have any fun Easter memories?  Are there any Easter foods/meals you are looking forward to eating?

Those crazy kids at Megafruit are at it again!  They’re giving away 3 $100 Visa Gift Cards to 3 random Twitter followers once they reach 1,000 Twitter followers!  So, if you’re not already following them, do it now!  Follow Megafruit on Twitter today!

Namasté,
Nicole

I know I’m an avid yogi.  I talk about how it’s best to take your time, that we must have patience and how often times, we can learn from finding comfort in our own discomfort.  And while I still believe all those things are true, and certainly worth practicing in life, sometimes I just don’t want to wait.

Image Credit – icanhascheezburger.com

For example, I’m ready for spring.  I’m done with wearing my winter coat.  I’m sick of all this cold and dreary rain.  And I’m all set with craving things like inhaling a big bowl of steaming cheesy chili, being buried under a sea of blankets, and sipping mugs of hot tea.  But you can’t hurry the weather along (although the forecast says it’s going to be in the upper 70’s by this weekend) and you can’t help what you crave.  So what do you do when it’s not exactly warm enough for frozen mudslides, and you have a cupboard filled with hot chocolate?

Make chocolate cake!

Instant Hot Cocoa Raspberry Coconut Cake
Serves 1

• 1 packet of diet hot cocoa (I used Swiss Miss Sensible Sweets)
• 1/2 TBSP of cocoa powder (I used Hershey’s brand)
• 1/4 cup of oat flour (dry oats ground until they reach a flour-like consistency)
• 1 TBSP of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 TSP of baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 TSP of organic dried coconut (I used Woodstock Farms brand)
• 1/4 cup of liquid egg whites
• 1 TSP of vanilla extract
• 2 TBSP of nonfat Greek yogurt (I used Trader Joe’s Greek Style Nonfat Plain Yogurt)
• 1 TBSP of sugar free raspberry preserves
• 2 TBSP of nonfat Greek yogurt (for topping, optional)

1) Lightly coat a shallow microwaveable bowl with cooking spray (I tried using a mug.  It was too deep, and my cake didn’t cook properly).

2) Combine the diet cocoa, cocoa powder, oat flour, flour, baking powder, salt and coconut.  Then, add the egg whites, vanilla extract and Greek yogurt.  Mix everything together until well-blended.

3) Smooth the mixture down into the bottom of the bowl and form the shape of a pancake.

4) Microwave for 45 seconds covered with a paper towel.

5) Carefully remove from microwave and stir in the raspberry preserves.  Smooth the mixture down again and shape into a pancake.  Microwave for another 35 – 45 seconds.

6) Eat straight from the bowl or remove to a plate.  Top with Greek yogurt, ice cream, frozen yogurt, agave nectar, whipped cream, chopped nuts, etc.  Instantly enjoy your hot chocolate-y dessert!

One word.  Sensational.  When I plopped all the above ingredients into a bowl and hit ’start’ on the good ole’ micro, I’ll have to admit that I was a bit leery.  I wanted a warm and sweet baked good, but wasn’t sure how cake-like (and how tasty) this would actually turn out.  I’ve made these microwaveable goodies before like here and here, and while they were quite appetizing, they were definitely more ‘breakfast’ than ‘dessert’.  My latest creation could be eaten at the start of the day, but I think it would be best having it post-dinner.  It’s definitely something with which you want to finish off your night.

The cocoa mix and cocoa powder gave this recipe just the right punch of chocolate and sweetness, while the dried coconut and raspberry preserves added to the layers of flavor.  For me, coconut just gives food an exotic and unique flare, and raspberry with chocolate is always a winning combination in my book.  The next time I make this recipe, I think I’ll add some chocolate chips and/or chocolate chunks at the end of the cooking time to give it a more ooey-gooey, rich chocolate texture.  Plus, I like having something to mop up with my cake.  It gives me something to do, so I can slow down the consumption of my dessert. (Make up your mind, Healthy Chow!  Do you wanna hurry up or slow down?!)

If you’re like me and you have a hard time waiting for things, I highly suggest you give my quick cake recipe a spin.  I guarantee it will put an instant smile on your face, but make your tummy and taste buds singing your praise for some time to come.

How do you practice patience?  Do you have any tips to help yourself slow down?  What’s your favorite quick dessert recipe?

Namasté,
Nicole

Do you know what a Panamera is?  No, I didn’t say ‘Panera’.  I’m not talking bread here.  The Porsche Panamera is a four-door, four-seat, luxury sedan.  The first sedan for Porsche.  For shiz and giggles, Patrick and I decided to look at cars yesterday.  While we aren’t in the market for a new one, Patrick likes to just ’see’ what’s out there.  Thus, we landed at Porsche of Westwood, about a half an hour drive from Boston.  I had already been to yoga class, it wasn’t raining (like it will be for the rest of the week) and was actually quite sunny outside.  So, I was game.  I just didn’t know I was going to end up in a race car.

Image Credit – chinaluxculturebiz.wordpress.com

I’m not really one for driving fast, as I drive a Honda Civic (and no, it hasn’t been souped up), but yesterday afternoon, I must have been in the need for speed.  While we told the salesman we were very casually looking around for cars, he insisted that we go for a test drive.  Who were we to say no? Plus, it was our salesman who was going to be behind the wheel.  We were just going along for the ride.  And boy, was it a ride!

Our test drive only last about 10 minutes, but in that time frame, I managed to sweat through my down coat and almost put a hole with my fingernails through the palms of my hands from clenching my fists so tightly.  I wish I had taken a picture of my facial expressions while we were taking those sharp turns on and off the ramps of the highway, but I was too busy holding on for dear life.  I couldn’t stop laughing in the backseat (I do this when I’m nervous) and feeling as if it was my first time on Space Mountain.  The thrill of speeding through the air while the vehicle I was traveling in hugged the road on what felt like just the two right-side tires, was enough to put my adrenaline into overdrive.  To say the least, I was out of my comfort zone and it’s pretty safe to say, I liked it.

The Panamera car brochure we got to keep as a souvenir

While my brief stint as Danica Patrick was fun and certainly exciting, I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to buy this car, or any sports car, anytime soon.  I’m happy with the car that I have and safely taking turns at 15 – 20 miles per hour (I believe our salesman mentioned that we were taking the turns at about 40 mph!).  But, that feeling of letting go, feeling completely out of control, doing something completely out of the ordinary and not being able to do a damn thing about it, that might be an experience I’ll soon have to revisit.  I’ll just be sure to be wearing my seat belt.

What gets your adrenaline going?  Do you like to drive fast (don’t be afraid to admit it)? Or, do you prefer to stay on the safe side like me?

Namasté,
Nicole

Everywhere I look these days (I’m sure it’s the same for you), I keep seeing signs for everything ’spring’.  Yes, I’ve been noticing the flower buds sprouting up from the ground, the leaves slowly growing back on the trees, the birds seem to be chirping much louder and there’s a new crop of fresh produce that’s trickling into the grocery stores.  But no, those are not the ’signs’ I’m talking about.  I mean the signs that say ’spring sale’, ’spring cleaning’, ’spring clearance’, ’spring cleanse’, and ‘new for spring’.  It seems that everyone is ready for a change and a chance to begin anew.

Image Credit – cleveland.com

The other day in yoga, as we were in extended side angle pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana), our teacher told us to fully feel and be in the pose.  She said that even though we’ve been in the pose millions of times, we should pretend as if it was the first time, and really take notice of how we’re feeling.  We shouldn’t operate from memory; we should take each pose exactly for what it is.  Our teacher told us to consider each pose as a renewal.  Instead of plowing through each pose and waiting for it to be over (which is what I have the tendency of doing when I’m in this certain pose), our teacher asked that we be aware of our senses and respect what our bodies were telling us.  She said to not assume or expect to feel a certain way, just because we may have had those feelings when we previously held that pose.  We should come into the pose with fresh eyes and an open heart, no opinions nor preconceived notions, just the willingness to learn.  In the spring, we have the chance to shed what we built up inside ourselves during the cold and wintry months.  The bulk and extra line of defense we created to help keep us warm in the previous season, we can now let go.  Spring marks the time for rebirth; the time for all things to evolve.

Image Credit – upsanddownes.wordpress.com

As I flowed through the rest of the poses in class that day, I realized that my practice wasn’t the only thing I needed to review with fresh eyes.  Like many others in this world, I tend to be a creature of habit.  When I find a method of doing something, a certain way of thinking or feeling, I don’t like to change it.  It doesn’t matter if my way is more difficult, not as efficient or unhealthy, I stick with it because it’s what I know.  But like the new season that we ushered in just last week, it’s time to do some cleaning of the house.  The clutter of negative energy, unproductive ways of thinking, unnecessary self-criticism, rigidity and bad habits that should have seen their demise long ago, need to be swept away.  It’s pointless and unhealthy to keep around thoughts, feeling and actions that don’t benefit us.  While it might be easier to carry all this ’stuff’ around versus finding the strength and energy to let it go, sometimes it’s the discomfort that will heal us in the long run.  The emotional journey we need to employ may not be the most pleasant one, but it might just be the most necessary one.

Image Credit – gardenguides.com

We put our bodies through detoxification, new diets (diet meaning what we eat) and increased exercise because it’s necessary to get rid of the ‘junk’ that has been lingering inside of us.  It may not be a fun or enjoyable process, but in the end, we emerge healthier and happier.  Like the plants and flowers in the ground, there’s a seed that must be cracked and broken through before new life can be sprouted.  It’s a chance to grow and find a new beginning.  The signs are all there and they are pointing to us to make the change.  It’s up to us to stop and pay attention.

***Speaking of new things for spring, would you like to try some Mangosteen?  Baby pineapple?  Lychee?  How about some new Lululemon clothing?  If you’re interested, check it out here!***

I’m working on letting go of the little things.  It’s something that tends to gnaw at me and it’s about time I get rid of this habit.  What are you going to work on?  What do you plan on cleansing yourself of?

Namasté,
Nicole

***Would you like to win some delicious dried superfruit?  How about a $100 Lululemon gift card?  How about an eco-friendly way to transport that delicious dried superfruit?  Please keep reading to find out how…***

Image Source – readthesmiths.com

A liger (a cross between a lion and a tiger)

Image Credit – readthesmiths.com

A beefalo (a cross between a cow and a bison)

Image Credit – hemmy.net

A Cama (a cross between a camel and a llama)

Image Credit – hemmy.net

A wolphin (a cross between a whale and a dolphin)

Just the other day, while I was watching a news program on TV, a piece was aired about hybrid animals.  I honestly had no idea such creatures existed!  While they seemed a bit strange upon first glance, there was definitely an allure to them and eventually, I found them quite beautiful and interesting.  Who knew of the possibilities?  Not me.

While I was fumbling around the kitchen one weekend morning, I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to make for a lazy late morning brunch.  I knew I wanted something egg-themed along with some vegetables, but I just wasn’t sure what.  I was in the mood for a quiche, but didn’t have the energy (or patience) to make a pie crust.  I was craving a frittata, but I was also looking for a chewy carb to accompany those eggs.  And then it hit me, why couldn’t I have both?!

Pesto, Sun Dried Tomato, Mushroom and Cauliflower Frit-iche
Serves 8

For the crust:
From Bitsys Kitchen (I used the same recipe in this post)

• 2 cups of cooked brown rice (I used Lundberg’s Short Grain Brown Rice)
• 2 egg whites (or 1/3 cup of liquid egg whites)

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2) In a bowl, mix the cooked brown rice with the egg whites.  Then press the brown rice mixture into the bottom of an 11 x 7 baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray.

3) Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the rice starts getting crispy at the edges.

For the filling:

• 4 eggs (I used Trader Joe’s Cage Free brown eggs, large-sized)
• 1/3 cup of liquid egg whites
• 3 TBSP of skim milk
• 1/4 cup of nonfat ricotta cheese
• 40g of sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil, slightly drained and chopped (I used Trader Joe’s brand)
• 2 cups of frozen cauliflower florets, thawed and chopped (if you’re using fresh, just cook them for a few minutes first)
• 6 medium-sized white mushrooms, sliced
• 2 TBSP of store-bought pesto (or homemade) (I used Classico brand)
• 1 TSP of frozen chopped basil (I used Daregal – but fresh would be great, too)
• 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, shredded
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• about 10 raw almonds, chopped
• few dashes of garlic powder
• few dashes of white pepper
• few dashes of sea salt

(Ooops, forgot to add these guys to the previous ingredient picture!)

1) Keep the oven at 350 degrees after you’ve finished baking the crust.

2) In a large bowl, combine the eggs, egg whites, skim milk and ricotta cheese.  Gently mix to make sure the ricotta cheese is well-blended and that there are no big lumps.

3) Then, add the sun-dried tomatoes, cauliflower, mushrooms, pesto, basil, parmesan cheese, garlic, almonds and spices.  Gently mix everything again.  Be careful not to over mix.  You just want everything to be well-coated by the eggs.

4) Spray some cooking spray onto a napkin and wipe the sides of the 11 x 7 baking dish with the brown rice crust.

5) Pour the egg mixture into the baking dish right on top of the brown rice crust.

6) Make sure the egg mixture is level and that the ingredients have been evenly distributed.  Bake for 35 – 40 minutes, or until the eggs start to bubble slightly.

7) Allow the frit-tiche to cool for 5 minutes before serving.  Happy brunching!

Do you ever walk into someone’s house, smell that scrumptious aroma and hope and pray that that is coming from the meal you’re about to eat?  Well, this dish will produce that aroma, and yes, this dish is yours to eat!  Not only was this easy to whip up, but it was one of the most satisfying brunches I’ve had in quite some time.  There was just the right dose of everything in this recipe – eggs, garlic, vegetables, cheese and kick.  I forgot how tasty pesto and eggs can be.  And when you throw in some olive oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, that combination gets even better.  The brown rice crust gave this meal the right amount of carbs to make it filling, without making it too heavy.  While the cauliflower taste was subtle, it gave the frit-tiche some needed bulk, and helped to even out the grease from the eggs, cheese, pesto and sun-dried tomatoes.  I added some chopped almonds just to give another layer of texture, and a bit of crunch.  You might think there are a lot of ingredients in this recipe, but each plays a significant role, and none overshadows the other.

When I really think about this dish again, I realize that it could have also been called a ‘frit-tiche-na’.  The Italian-inspired flavors of the pesto, ricotta, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes made me feel as if I was eating a sauce-less lasagna.  Plus, the crunchiness from the cauliflower and the chewiness of the crust make me think for a second that I was eating lasagna noodles.  Nope! This dish could fool you from so many different ways; you won’t know what to think.  But, a couple of things are for sure, it will leave you craving for more, and you’ll certainly want to start making some of your own wild creations…muahahahahaha!

***If you want the chance to win some dried superfruit, along with a $100 Lululemon gift card, you’ve gotta check out Megafruit’s amazing giveaway!***

***And if you’re interested in winning your very own SnackTAXI, check out Michelle’s cool giveaway!***

I know many of you like to eat breakfast for dinner (me included), but would you ever eat dinner for breakfast?  What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever had for breakfast (and liked)?  I used to love having cold pizza!

Namasté,
Nicole