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Showing posts from November, 2011

Benefits of Body Brushing

Body brushing is incredible for the skin and healing of the body. Europeans have been body brushing for centuries...maybe that's why they look so fantastic! This blog post will go into some education about What is Body Brushing? Body Brushing is also known as skin brushing and dry brushing . It's done using a natural bristle brush, like the T-Tapp Body Brush pictured above ($11.00, T-Tapp.com ). Teresa Tapp, creator of the T-Tapp Workout and author of Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes , has developed a specific body brushing pattern that's proven to be effective for all ages and a variety of health and beauty concerns. Teresa's pattern involves brushing the entire body from the feet all the way up to the neckline. Once finished go back and brush the areas that need a little extra attention, such as the butt, thighs and abdomen.  It's best to body brush first thing in the morning , when the increased blood flow will help wake you up and the body is in a natur

Uncle Jesse Grilled Cheese @ Tastee Food Truck

Tastee Food Truck is the one and only grilled cheese truck in Atlanta. As soon as I read their menu I knew I had to get one. Everyone loves a grilled cheese sandwich! I ordered The Uncle Jesse , the Mac Daddy of them ALL... Cheddar Cheese, Mac & Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Pulled Pork and BBQ Sauce . So incredible you'll want seconds. You know you want one. ♥

[Recipes] My Turkey-less Thanksgiving Feast

I enjoyed my first-ever turkey-less Thanksgiving yesterday. *gasp!* I know you're curious about the menu. What took place of the roasted turkey? Lemon Pepper Wild Salmon ! With two sides: Creamy Parsnip Mushroom Soup and Roasted Butternut Squash Cranberry Quinoa . For dessert I made a Pumpkin Pecan Pie . Roasted Butternut Squash Cranberry Quinoa Recipe Serves 4 The combination of butternut squash and cranberries with the quinoa was a party in my mouth -- love the light sweetness and savory flavors. INGREDIENTS 1 medium butternut squash, cut lengthwise 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 cup quinoa 1 cups vegetable broth and/or water 1/2 medium red onion, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 1 garlic clove, minced 1/2 cup dried cranberries 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/4 lemon, juiced DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice butternut squash in half, coat with olive oil and flip down on baking sheet. Bake for 30-45 minutes, until squash

Be Grateful

Thanksgiving feast, when gluttony becomes  a patriotic duty.     ~Michael Dresser This year I'm breaking the turkey tradition and making wild salmon , butternut squash cranberry quinoa salad, creamy parsnip mushroom soup and pumpkin pecan pie for Thanksgiving dinner. ♥

Yeah Veggie @ YEAH! Burger

Yeah Burger is my new favorite burger joint. They serve it up organic, free-range, grass-fed locally-sourced style...and I like that. This, my friends, is the Yeah Veggie Burger . Made with a homemade veggie patty, lettuce, onion rings, roasted garlic aioli and pimento cheese . I love how there's so much melted cheese that you can't even SEE the burger. {   to die for  }  I went to the Midtown Atlanta location on my lunch break with a few coworkers. It was pretty slammed with a line out the door, but we were able to order and get a table in about 15 minutes or less. The food was no less than amazing. I have no complaints. One thing that struck me as strange was that the numbers we got for our table were 11 and 22, the day's date, a palindrome and master numbers. A sign from the universe, I'd say. ♥

Heart Shaped Egg in a Basket

I love eggs with toast! This is a super cute way to make this classic breakfast more interesting. Keep scrolling for how to make this! 1. Melt butter in pan and use a shaped cookie cutter (heart, star, ninja, dinosaur...endless possibilities) to cut out the center of a slice of bread. I used sesame Ezekiel bread -- love how hearty, healthy and filling it is! Then add bread and cutout to the warmed pan. Allow bread to "toast" slightly. 2. Crack a fresh egg in the center of the slice. Let the egg cook until the bottom is white. 3. Seasoning is important!! Use flavors that you enjoy. I'm currently addicted to lemon pepper and red pepper flakes. 4. Flip the Egg in a Basket over to cook slightly on the other side. Serve immediately. Enjoy! ♥

Grapefruit Rosewater Martini @ Cafe 640

That incredible looking libation over there on the right has to be one of the best I've had in a while. Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice with rosewater and vodka makes for a delicious martini. Cafe 640 in Atlanta knows how to do it right! Seconds were tempting, but I decided I should eat my dinner rather than drink it. I ordered a house salad with organic greens, shallots, cherry tomatoes and goat cheese with a walnut vinaigrette, plus the truffle mac n' cheese. I love having fattening foods with light, healthy foods -- its about balance! { it was dark and too dreamy for a flash } ♥

Day of the Dead Party @ Bone Garden Cantina

It was November 5th and a celebration of Dia de los Muertos at Bone Garden Cantina in Atlanta. With the waitstaff wearing Dia makeup, live music and specials it made for a good time. We stopped in for a late lunch, ordered a pitcher of Berry Sangria to share, and enjoyed chips and cheesy queso plus a variety of tacos . All together we racked up a bill large enough to qualify for 2 sugar skulls , which were like the icing on the cake. ♥ P.S. Check out AdoringLife.com for the Dia de los Muertos art show @ Young Blood Gallery & Boutique .

[Recipe] Roasted Butternut Squash & Pumpkin Soup

There's nothing like a hearty vegetable soup in the autumn. Last weekend I roasted an organic butternut squash and a pumpkin slathered in organic coconut oil. I just threw this one together, but it turned out great! Super easy, healthy and inexpensive ...love that. Recipe time! Roast the squash at 400-degrees for about 30-50 minutes or until soft. Let the squash cool, then scrape the goodness out of the shells into a soup pan, and mash it all together like potatoes. Add a few cups of organic vegetable broth and stir together over a low heat. Chop up some onion and saute in separate pan with garlic until soft. Then mix them together in the soup pan. Add a cup of organic cream or milk of some kind to the soup and mix. Add some spices to the soup. I used cinnamon, ginger, salt and pepper because that's all I had on hand. This would be great with pumpkin pie spice and curry for kick. Serve with crumbled goat cheese and sliced jalapenos So delicious I could eat i

[Recipe] Vegan Pumpkin Almond Quinoa

This quick, healthy recipe with simple ingredients and directions is easy to make for breakfast or a snack. Feels like Autumn to me! Quinoa is a complete protein grain with all essential amino acids and high magnesium content, plus it's gluten-free and versatile in the kitchen. It works just as well with dinner as it does for breakfast -- it's all about the ingredients you use. INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup quinoa 1 cup water 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 2 Tbsp raw almond butter Almond Milk, to taste Cinnamon (optional) Honey or Maple Syrup (optional) Almond Slivers (optional) DIRECTIONS Cook quinoa to package directions - or - 1 cup boiling water to 1/2 cup quinoa, simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Use homemade or organic canned pumpkin puree. Mix in 1/2 cup pumpkin puree and 2 Tbsp almond butter until well mixed. Add almond milk, cinnamon, honey or maple syrup and mix. Top with almond slivers. Serve immediately. *Try adding pumpkin spice for extra kick.

I ♥ Fresh Produce Juice

Looking back through my vacation photos, and I've decided there will never be a better way to kick off a week long trip other than a tall glass of fresh fruit & veggie juice ! So refreshing and it really hit the spot. This special juice contained 100% organic produce!  Beets + Celery + Apples + Carrots + Ginger = DELICIOUSNESS!! Thanks, Mom! Even the pulp is beautiful. ♥