kale with honeyed macadamia nuts + quinoa loaf

Oh, yum city! Whole Foods sent me these recipes (both vegan and gluten-free) today 

and as soon as I read the title, my mouth started watering! 

Kale with Honeyed Macadamia Nuts

What you'll need:

- 2 tablespoons honey, divided 
- 1/2 cup 365 Everyday Value Roasted & Salted Macadamia Nuts* 
- 2 bunches kale, thick stems removed, leaves thinly sliced 
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 
- 1 1/2 tablespoons 365 Everyday Value Creamy Almond Butter 

*Note: be sure to choose nuts that are dry roasted, with no added oils. 

Do it!:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 

2. In a medium bowl, toss 1 tablespoon honey and nuts with 1 teaspoon water. 

3. Bake on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet, tossing two or three times, 

until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. 

4. Cool and roughly chop.

                                                       5. Arrange kale in a large, deep skillet. 

6. In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, almond butter, remaining honey and 2 tablespoons water. 

7. Drizzle over kale, cover and cook over medium heat, tossing occasionally, 

until wilted and just tender, about 5 minutes. 

8. Scatter nuts over the top and serve.

Quinoa Loaf with Mushrooms and Peas

What you'll need:

- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing 
- 8 ounces button mushrooms, sliced 
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste 
- 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 
- 3/4 cup rolled oats 
- 2 cups cooked quinoa  
- 1 cup frozen green peas 
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley and/or 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme 
- 10 sundried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped 
- 1 cup (about 1 onion) chopped red onion

Do it!:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8-inch loaf pan with oil; set aside. 

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. 

3. Meanwhile, put beans, oats and 1/2 cup water into a food processor and pulse until almost smooth. 

4. In a large bowl, combine mushrooms, bean mixture, quinoa, peas, parsley, 

tomatoes, onion, salt and pepper. 

5. Transfer mixture to prepared loaf pan, gently pressing down and mounding it in the middle. 

6. Bake until firm and golden brown, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. 

7. Set aside to let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Try serving it with vegan gravy too!

choose to live healthy [4]: chakra healing system

The concept of chakra originates in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" and signifies one of seven energy centers in the body. Each chakra in your spinal column is believed to influence or even govern bodily functions near its region of the spine - see description of each chakra center above!


In my Monday/Wednesday/Friday yoga practice at The Green Yogi with the lovely Amy Beausang, we have been targeting and focusing on a new chakra center each week, starting with the first/root chakra which is located at the base of the spine. Last week we focused our attention on the second/sacral chakra  located in the lower abdominal/navel. This week we are focusing on the third/solar plexus chakra located in the area above the navel, under the ribs. Each week, we work to open and awaken the focused chakra by first meditating and visualizing each chakra as a ball of light or a glowing flower that slowly opens. Following meditation, we usually do three rounds of Breath of Fire, a cleansing and energizing breath powered by abdominal contractions, in certain yoga postures that target the chakra. Then, throughout the majority of the yoga flow, we practice getting into different yoga postures that further open and work the targeted chakra.  


So far, these chakra focused yoga sessions have been a wonderful experience for me. I have noticed that when I work on opening my charkas in class I feel that my focused energy flows better. I feel more more aware, open, and balanced. I'm excited to see how I feel after learning how to open all seven energy centers!


Namaste lovelies!