Summer-ful

What a glorious day. A gorgeous sunny day and a picture-perfect night. Did you see that sweet little sliver of moon and all the stars? After a morning at the beach, some very sincere sun salutations, meditation, an afternoon at the farmers market and a nice evening at home, I stood outside. The tiles of my patio, still warm from the sun, wetsuits drying on the clothesline, the perfect temperature, the last tiny bit of the sunset, some silence and stillness.. everything felt just right. So summer-ful.

At the end of the day I write down the things that I am grateful for, and every evening this summer I have had a list, a bunch, a whole pile of things that blessed the day.

So I'm sending a whole lot of that gratitude and appreciation out there into the atmosphere tonight.

I'm wishing sunshine, love, health, joy and many many summer-ful moments to each of you.

Bootcamp, Baby!

Just a quick update that the Introduction to Bootcamp offer just keeps getting better. Lisa will be teaching the Introduction to Bootcamp Class this Friday, July 9 at 9:00am at Clover Park (25th Street and Ocean Park in Santa Monica). You can bring your kids to play at the park while you get a great workout. (No extra babysitting costs necessary! How great is that?)

Check out the meals that are available for pick up at the park that day on my menu page. If you attend the bootcamp, and place a Sage Kitchen order, all meals are only $10 each. So, you get a great work out, your kids get a nice morning at the park, and before you go, I'll hand you a bag with your (discounted!) meals in it. You're all set with a terrific workout and healthy meals for the weekend!

You can come and enjoy the class or you can just come to pick up some healthy food. Either way, you'll be doing something good for yourself. 

If you have any other questions, please email me.

Have a great day!!!

Happy Introduction!

I apologize for this later-than-usual posting this evening, but I am making up for it with some great news! I am so very pleased to be able to post this tonight.

In addition to my regular delivery this week, I am offering a new opportunity to pick up Sage Kitchen meals and get a great workout all in one place! Lisa Davis, an amazing personal trainer and friend, and I are collaborating on a "Bootcamp Cleanse" concept. Lisa provides a total body workout and Sage Kitchen provides the perfect clean fuel to replenish and nourish. We're beginning this series of classes and optional meal pick-up opportunites THIS FRIDAY, JULY 9 at 9:00am.

Lisa will lead an awesome 60 minute "Introduction to Bootcamp" class this Friday, July 9 at 9:00am. If you haven't already taken one of Lisa's Abs or Bootcamp Classes, you are missing out! She is a wonderful instructor -- challenging, encouraging and motivating. Once your workout is complete, you have the option of picking up healthy Sage Kitchen meals to go. The available meals and pricing information are listed on the menu page. Please place your pick up orders before 9:00am on Wednesday, July 7 and RSVP for the class by Thursday, July 8. If you are interested in this great opportunity for true health and fitness, please email me and I will send you location information. Please bring a yoga mat or towel, 5 lb weights if you have them, and a water bottle. The cost for the class is $15.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact me! I am so excited about this offering and hope to share the joy of health and fitness with you.  

I look forward to hearing from you. Have a terrific week!

Warmth & Goodness

People ask me for advice on what to eat to keep warm when they're on a highly or all raw meal plan. When warm tea and miso soup isn't enough, I suggest the endless possibilities for warm smoothies. That's right.A warm drink to enjoy when you're eating raw or on a cleanse? It's possible! And it's rich, satisfying and delicious too.

I just had to post this yummy recipe for a delicious warm breakfast smoothie. June gloom made this the perfect morning to invent what I think will be one of my favorite morning treats.  

I like to begin with a banana, some dates and about 2 cups of water. From there, the possible recipes are infinite. This morning's concoction was especially delicious:

1 banana

3 medjool dates

1/2 cup soaked cashews

1/4 cup coconout (i used flakes because it was all i had, but grated or fresh would work just as well)

1 teaspoon alcohol free vanilla

2 cups water

Blend in high speed blender for about 3 minutes or until warm. If you don't have a high speed blender, blend until your mixture is creamy, then warm on the stovetop for a bit.

The result is a creamy, fluffy smoothie, rich, yet light at the same time. So good. You could also add a sprinkle of cinnamon or add 2 tablespoons of cacao for a chocolate-y treat. You could also omit the nuts and 1/2 of the water for a less rich version of this same drink. Or you can substitute soaked almonds instead of cashews, etc.

If you are incorporating nuts into your smoothies. I suggest soaking them over night before you blend them. Just make sure to rinse them well before you add them to your blender.

Smoothies don't always have to be ice cold. They are just as nourishing warm if you add the right ingredients. One of my other favorites is a chocolate breakfast drink that includes kale and cinnamon. It may seem strange, but after you try it, you'll find that it's a special treat. 

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings

This summer has been pure bliss so far. I've been enjoying the slower pace, the sunshine, the beach, good friends and family. I find myself counting so many blessings already this season. Here are my top 5 so far:

1) Summer Solstice Yoga Mala - This ritual that I wrote about in my last post is the perfect meeting of the physical and the spiritual. This year it was extra special to express gratitude for the health and happiness of my family. 

2) Fireworks and A Full Moon on the Same Night - Our family cuddled up in blankets and watched the fireworks from our roof deck. Added bonus this year: a gorgeous full moon.

3) 5 Days with My Favorite Girl on the Planet - It's usually pretty rare to spend one on one time with just one offspring for most everyone, I think. I had the pleasure of planning a fun week of playing and enjoying my baby girl and her friends while my boy was in baseball heaven. I'm grateful that I got to connect with this amazing little person and have a special week with just us girls.

4) Party Time - So many celebrations and parties already this summer. I love finding connections with new friends and appreciating dear friends. We've had a whirlwind of parties so far, and I look forward to so many more. Our first party of the summer benefitted a great cause. I feel so fortunate to be part of such an amazing community.

5) Meditation and Guitar - These are two things that I've always wanted to learn and incorporate into my life. This summer has given me the time and space to do both and I feel so incredibly happy when I practice both of these new and enriching things. It's exciting to enter the worlds of mind and music.  

Oh, and the new menu is up!

Have a super sweet and sunny week!