yogaworks

i never wash my car. i know i should want to do it, but for some reason, i hate it. until, of course, i'm driving around in a clean car. as soon as i get in and look through the spotless windshield and see the freshly vacuumed carpet underneath my feet, i think "why don't i do this more often?" and then i think "i'm turning over a new leaf. i'm going to wash my car once a week!" two months go by and i am once again rolling around in my dirt-caked bmw with water bottles and cookie crumbs rolling around at my feet. i am the same way about yoga. as soon as i bow my head, say "namaste," and walk out of the warm room, i think "why don't i do this more often?" but then a few days go by and the thought of committing to an hour and a half class sounds like the worst thing in the world....so i wait another couple of months. that was true until i found yogaworks.

yogaworks has gotten me hooked. for the past two months i've been to yoga at least two to three times a week and i've noticed that my flexibility and my strength have increased significantly. i've also noticed a difference in my running. the tight hamstrings and hips that used to ache after long runs now feel more at ease. every class is completely different and each teacher has his/her own style so you never get bored and you're always being challenged.

yogaworks has studios all over, but my favorite is the one on main street in santa monica. it's a block away from urth cafe and across the street from the sunday farmer's market so it's easy to fit a class into your packed agenda.

if you're still not sold, you don't have to commit quite yet. yogaworks offers a two week trial pass for $30 (usually classes are $22 each) and you can attend as many classes as you want during that two week period. if you don't have a mat, you can rent one for $2 and parking is a cinch: there is metered parking right outside on main street and additional parking around the corner on strand.

give it a try. if you're anything like me, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

but it's organic!

the other day at the grocery store i was pushing my cart down the cookie aisle (i think lentils are in the same aisle, which is, of course, why i was there) when i started to notice the word "organic" on almost every box that i passed.  crummy brothers "organic" cookies, newman's own "organic" o's, "organic" fig newtons. at this point i'm wondering, are these the new snackwells of the 21st century? low-fat cookies were all the rage back in the '90s and people would scarf down those little green packages of vanilla creme sandwiches like it was nobody's business. and as their weight started to creep up, they blamed high fat foods like peanut butter, nuts, and avocados instead of the pounds of sugar they were consuming on a daily basis. oh, how ignorant we once were. we'll never fall for another marketing ploy again! or will we? nowadays, "organic" is the new buzz word and marketers are seizing every opportunity to tout their products as "organic" in order to appeal to the health conscious consumer (or the not so health conscious consumer that just wants to feel good about his choice of "organic" fig newtons). we are ignoring saturated fat and added sugar because it doesn't really matter as long as the ingredients are "organic," right? wrong. while i understand the benefit of buying organic fruits, vegetables, meats, and eggs, i'm pretty sure an oreo is an oreo whichever way you stack it...organic or not.

before i go any further, i think it's important to clarify the definition of "organic."  simply put, organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. animals that produce meat, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.

the USDA organic program defines "organic" as follows:

"Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.  Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.  Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.  Before a product can be labeled ‘organic,’ a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meetUSDA organic standards.  Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too."

certified organic label: product is at least 95% organic 

by no means am i saying that the "organic" claim on the boxes of cookies should be ignored - just don't let it hide the fact that, albeit organic, the product you are purchasing is high fat and sugar and low nutritional value. the first question you should ask yourself is: will this food, organic or conventional, benefit my health if i eat it? if the answer is no, that doesn't mean you can't eat it. but while you're dunking that little newman's o into a glass of sweetened soy milk, please don't justify your indulgence by saying "but it's organic!"

if you really want to be healthy, eat whole, unprocessed foods as often as possible. anything processed and packaged can and should be avoided, especially if it's something like cookies. the more foods you eat that are exactly how they exist in nature (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts), the better off you'll be. period.

really?

[more on organic as it relates to fruits and vegetables later. in the meantime, put down that oreo and grab an apple. please.]

vote for the studio (mdr)!

as you probably know from reading my post here, the studio (mdr) is one of my favorite fitness studios in la, and, apparently, i'm not the only one that thinks so. since january of this year (that's when they opened) they have grown tremendously...to the point that they are in desperate need of an expansion! every month the schedule for the following month is posted and classes sell out in a matter of seconds. there are only 9 machines in the studio, so they are (unfortunately) capped at 9 people per class. enter dell.  dell has developed a program called america's favorite small business where they are giving small businesses the opportunity to win $25,000 in dell products, a $50,000 pre-paid MasterCard, and their own reality show. to be honest, although the $75,000 is enticing, i am more excited about the idea of a kylates reality show! no, but seriously, this is a huge opportunity for the studio (mdr) to get some much needed cash to cover expenses and go through the expansion they need to be successful. it only takes a second to vote, so if you have time, please do so in the "view and vote" section here.  you can (and are encouraged to) vote even if you don't live in la. every little bit helps!

healthier mashed potatoes

if you're anything like me, you'll agree that there's something special about creamy, garlicky, buttery mashed potatoes.  ever since i was a little kid i've been a sucker for spuds. there's nothing wrong with potatoes, but why not try to make this delicious dish a little healthier? that's exactly what i did tonight by substituting cauliflower and parsnips for the starchy alternative. the result: i'm so full i can barely move.

below is the "recipe" i used. i actually just made it up as i went along, but the mashed potatoes turned out great so i'll pretend that it is a tried and true recipe!

ingredients:
1 large head organic cauliflower, washed and chopped
1 large parsnip
1 bunch green onions, chopped
earth balance vegan butter
olive oil
salt
*truffle salt

steam the cauliflower and parsnips until soft.
put the cauliflower and parsnips in a cuisinart and blend with olive oil (roughly 1/3 cup) and earth balance (1/4-1/3 cup). add green onions and salt to taste. voila!

you can really add as much or as little salt, olive oil, and earth balance as you want.  more earth balance = creamier texture.

by no means are potatoes unhealthy, but if you want a lighter, lower carb alternative, try this recipe. you won't be disappointed!

*if you have truffle salt, sprinkle it on top of the finished product. it will blow your mind. if you don't have truffle salt, i'm sorry. go here and buy it now.

macadamia nut oil

move over olive oil - macadamia nut oil is the next big thing! for years i've been using olive oil for almost every single recipe that called for oil. i even once substituted olive oil for canola oil in a batch of pancakes only to find out the hard way that not all oils are created equal. instead of light, fluffy, buttermilk flapjacks, i was left with thick slabs of batter that resembled overcooked latkes. but even though olive oil is touted as being one of, if not THE healthiest oil out there, macadamia nut oil actually has a few pros that, in my opinion, blow olive oil out of the water (and this is not a reference to volatile relationship that already exists between oil and water).

here are a few things you may not know about macadamia nut oil:
1. macadamia nut oil can stand the heat. olive oil can't: many people do not realize that olive oil's composition begins to change when it is exposed to high heat (reaching its "smoke point"). quite quickly, the good fat changes form and we are actually creating a different chemical composition that is completely different from the composition of cold olive oil.  macadamia nut oil, on the other hand, has a very high smoke point.  this means that it can be used at high heats without changing composition or flavor. when cooking eggs or roasting vegetables, i recommend using macadamia nut oil instead of olive oil for the above reason.

2. olive oil has more omega 6 fatty acids than macadamia nut oil: some omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation while omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation. although macadamia nut oil has less omega-6 fatty acids, olive oil has more omega-3 fatty acids.  when making salads, use olive oil. when sauteeing spinach or broiling fish, use macadamia nut oil.

3. macadamia nut oil has a rich, nutty flavor: no one can deny the fact that olive oil has a delicious flavor. few things are as tasty as fresh, warm bread dipped in a really good olive oil. but have you ever tried macadamia nut oil on vegetables (or even just by itself). macadamia nut oil has a wonderful flavor that is a great alternative to the very distinct taste of olive oil.

by no means am i dissing olive oil here. i think olive oil is one of the best things ever created. but just be careful how you use it. if you can, start using macadamia nut oil when cooking at high temperatures and saving the olive oil for warm or cold dishes. you'll probably notice that the flavor is better anyhow. and don't forget that there are other oils out there, too.  experiment with avocado oil, walnut oil, and pistachio oil - see which ones you like best for different dishes!

bee pollen

i've had horrible allergies for most of my life and i've always relied on claritin, benadryl, zyrtec, and, most recently, singulair to quell my symptoms. i've taken singulair everyday for the past few years and it's really helped me. BUT, i don't want to rely on a medication for the rest of my life if there are ways for me to naturally get my allergies under control. rather than just cover up the symptoms, i'd like to prevent from even happening in the first place (or at least make them a little less severe. enter bee pollen.

 

it may seem counter-intuitive, but bee pollen has been touted as a natural cure for allergies for a long time now. not only is it a superfood full of amino acids, zinc, and b vitamins, but it is also chock-full of a nutrient called quercetin.  quercetin is known for its ability to neutralize histamine response (histamine is what the body releases in response to allergens) and it may be the primary reason why bee pollen can help alleviate inflammation and allergies.

 

bee pollen has sort of a sweet taste and it mixes easily into smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt. i've been making protein shakes recently with spirulina and bee pollen added. yum. i'll let you know if i notice my allergies getting any better!

*be careful, though. although most people are fine with bee pollen, every once in a while it can cause random allergic reactions in people, whether that be in the form of anaphylaxis or severe stomach pains and vomiting. my husband (who is allergic to bees, actually) cannot eat bee pollen. both times that i've tried to give it to him recently he's gotten severely ill and vomited. obviously the first time he got sick we didn't realize it was from the bee pollen. start off by eating an 1/8 of a teaspoon and work your way up to 1 tablespoon/day. if you ever feel like it doesn't agree with you, stop it immediately.

under construction

please be patient with me as i update the site. i'll be sure to let you know when it's ready!

kale: a nutritional powerhouse

[fresh kale]

[perfect meal]

before last year, i had never even heard of kale. now, i eat it at least three times a week. it's probably all in my head, but i really believe that i can feel the nutrients from this power food seeping into my veins the second the leafy greens enter my mouth. in my opinion, kale is the closest thing there is to a perfect food. believe it or not, 1 cup of steamed kale provides you with 1,328% of your daily requirement of vitamin k, 192% of your vitamin a, 88% of your vitamin c, and a plethora of other nutrients (including b vitamins and calcium). like most other cruciferous vegetables, kale has been praised for its antioxidant properties and its anti-inflammatory properties. it has been linked to reduced cancer risks, reduced inflammatory diseases, and lower cholesterol levels.  in general, you can't really go wrong with greens of any kind, but i'd recommend choosing kale when you can. there will be a lot more research that comes out over the next several years on this incredible food and if you start eating it now you can say "psh, obviously" when your friends start talking about it in five years.

caveat emptor

 

i'm afraid my praise for the vibram five fingers was a little premature (see post here). after wearing them just four times, i noticed a pretty significant pain in my left foot which was later followed by swelling and more pain.  after a trip to the sports medicine doctor and an uncomfortable 30 minutes in an mri, it was confirmed: i had a stress fracture in my second metatarsal. i have not one doubt in my mind that the vibrams are to blame.  look at all of these people that have suffered from the same thing: stress fractures from vibrams.  for the time being, you'll be seeing me in a lot of spin classes and perhaps a few pools. if you are considering purchasing these aqua socks also known as shoes, i have two words for you: caveat emptor (which is latin for 'buyer beware').

stinkey monkey

tonight i tried stinkey monkey pudding for the first time and I was very pleasantly surprised. made up of only six ingredients (raw coconut meat, organic coconut milk, organic raw cacao powder, organic palm sugar, organic raw vanilla bean, and pink himalayan salt), it is both healthy and vegan friendly. judging by the label (and the size of the container), stinkey monkey puddings are most likely meant for people under the age of six, but i don't discriminate. i have a strict open door policy with anything that even resembles chocolate, so it wasn't hard to convince me to buy this $3.99 4oz pudding. other pluses: gluten-free, soy-free, low glycemic, and made in our very own culver city.

on my ipod now

having a good mix on your ipod is almost as important as having comfortable running shoes (or even a sports bra). i hate to admit it, but there have been times when i've driven to the gym, realized i forgot my ipod, and turned around and driven straight home. that's how i feel about music when i workout.

so what's on my ipod right now?

1. rihanna - only girl
2. 2Pac - hit em up
3. shakira - waka waka
4. michael jackson - billie jean
5. rihanna - what's my name
6. michael jackson - dirty diana
7. major lazer and la roux - bulletproof
8. matchbox 20 - how far we've come
9. phoenix - 1901
10. arcade fire - wake up
11. eminem - my band
12. diddy featuring keyshia cole - last night
13. the game - how we do
14. grizzly bear - two weeks
15. jason mraz - butterfuly
16. jay-z - numb/encore
17. kele - everything you wanted
18. kings of leon - sex on fire
19. la roux - in for the kill
20. passion pit -little secrets

if you can, run a bit faster when the quicker tempo songs come on. you'll be doing intervals without even thinking about it!

image source: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/02/2g-ipod-shuffle-230pxl.jpg

Elvino

while wandering abbot kinney this weekend with one of my friends, we suddenly got the urge to do a late afternoon wine tasting, so we ducked into elvino. elvino, although conveniently "the wine" in spanish, is actually the name of the owner's grandfather. every weekend elvino offers tasting flights from a different part of the world. this particular weekend the focus happened to be on portugal. we tasted three delicious wines with fresh bread and spanish olive oil to clean our palates. elvino is a great place for an impromptu tasting and an even better place to find a new favorite bottle of wine.

elvino is open every night until 8pm during the week and 9pm on weekends so feel free to stop by for a quick tasting before or after dinner (or on a random saturday afternoon).

veggie chili

last week i attended a chili cook-off at a friend's house and i ended up making a vegetarian chili at the very last minute using a recipe i found using the whole foods iphone app. not only was the chili fairly easy to make (minus all the chopping), it won me a trophy for best vegetarian chili! ok, so maybe there was only one other vegetarian chili in the running and maybe i added avocado and cilantro as garnishes to make my chili super gourmet, but still!!

i was totally impressed by this chili and i think you will be, too.

ingredients:
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms (i used regular and portabella)
1/4 cup dried mushrooms, soaked in hot water for 20 mins, then drained and chopped (i skipped these)
2 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup uncooked bulgur wheat
1/2 cup cooked kidney beans, drained
1/2 cup cooked black beans, drained
1/2 cup cooked navy beans, drained
2 tbsp tamari
2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro

method:
heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. add onions, celery, carrots, bell peppers, fresh mushrooms, dried mushrooms, and jalapenos and cook for 3 minutes. add garlic, chili powder, oregano, and cumin and cook for 1 minute longer. add tomato paste and brown with vegetables for 1 minute longer. add tomatoes, bulgur, beans, and 1 to 2 cups water (enough to cover ingredients). simmer for 45 minutes, or until bulgur is tender. stir in tamari and cilantro and serve.

mrs meyer's clean day

i love mrs meyers' cleaning products. not only are they natural, biodegradable and animal friendly (no animal testing), they smell amazing and they have the cutest labels ever!

i just started worrying about cleaning products this year when i saw a holistic doctor about my allergies. this doctor isn't your typical doctor. she has her m.d. and went to traditional medical school, but decided to take a more holistic approach to medicine. she feels that we should be treating the sources of many issues as opposed to just medicating or covering up symptoms. when i asked her what i should avoid (and i was thinking food-wise) to stay healthy and steer clear of diseases like cancer, she said that she thought that most of these diseases are caused by things in our immediate environment - harsh chemicals in cleaning products being one of those things.

i immediately threw away all of my 409 and windex and purchased mrs meyer's cleaning products. they work just as well and i feel so much better when i use them. there are some other brands like seventh generation that are good, but their labels aren't nearly as cute as mrs meyers'.

rawvolution

eating vegan is hard, but eating raw is just crazy. this weekend we walked down the street to the popular raw food restaurant called euphoria loves rawvolution. if the name doesn't scare you away, the food might. i ordered an enlightenment salad and my husband, joe, ordered a breakfast burrito. i don't know why, but, even though i knew this was a raw food restaurant, i was still picturing a huge burrito coming out in a warm flour tortilla with guacamole and sour cream on the side. even vegans know how to make a good breakfast burrito! this "burrito" (if you can even call it that) looked more like a sausage. it was wrapped in some kind of a raw version of a tortilla and inside was vegetables, avocado, and something they decided was the closest thing to cheese. not as tasty as it sounded on the menu.

the enlightenment salad was ok, but it was a little too seaweedy. it was made up of kale, seaweed, avocado, and some kind of raw cole slaw on top. there is no doubt that it was healthy (green, green, and more green), but it wasn't the tastiest thing i've ever eaten.

we both left feeling unsatisfied and a little malnourished. i'm not against raw food, but i don't think euphoria loves rawvolution is going to be a place that i frequent. as much as i love raw fruits and vegetables, there's nothing wrong with throwing a little steamed brown rice or sauteed kale in the mix. just sayin'.

yeast. yum.

i'm allergic to yeast, so i try to avoid it at all costs. ok, that's not true. i avoid it when it's convenient and i would say that the majority of the time, it's not so convenient. when a loaf of warm, crusty bread comes to the table and i'm starving, i've been known to forget about my mild yeast allergy and inhale it without hesitation.


i used to put nutritional yeast in the same category as the yeast that's in bread, beer, and everything else, but it's actually completely different. nutritional yeast is deactivated yeast that is chock full of B vitamins and protein. it has a sort of cheesy flavor that makes it the perfect topping for vegetables, popcorn, or even rice (which i did tonight). many vegan cheese substitutes use nutritional yeast to give it its creamy cheese flavor.

the only hesitation i have about adding nutritional yeast as a staple to my diet is the free glutamic acid that it contains. some say that this glutamic acid mimics MSG and can actually be harmful if consumed in large quantities. just like anything else, i think anything in moderation is ok.

calafia palo alto

one of the most difficult things about being vegan is traveling. it's hard enough to find vegan options in l.a., let alone in random cities across the country. when i ask the waiter at most restaurants if there is a vegan option, he usually lights up as he tells me about the roasted vegetable plate that the chef can easily put together for me. i'm sorry, but grilled zuchinni and rice pilaf does not excite me in the same way that a spinach dragon noodle bowl does.

tonight i am in palo alto for work and i decided to go out to dinner with some co-workers. we ended up at a hip little restaurant called calafia that will now most definitely be my go-to when i'm up here. not only does calafia have an entire menu dedicated to vegetarians (here), but tons of the things on that menu are vegan and gluten free! i had the crimson quinoa salad (above) and braised greens with almond butter. highly recommend the latter.

the food is not the only thing to rave about. the atmosphere at calafia is awesome, too. the light fixtures made out of old milk bottles and the old wooden community tables give it a really funky, yet inviting vibe. if you're ever in the palo alto or mountain view area, i'd highly recommend you visit calafia. yum.

calafia
855 el camino real
palo alto, ca
(650) 322-9200

regional best

[it's all vegan!]

mmmmm....baked goods. what is it about spongey, creamy, fluffy desserts that makes them so absolutely irresistible? well, it's actually the milk, butter, and eggs. this is when being vegan is a little rough. but imagine being able to eat all of the things above (because they're vegan), and, while you're eating them, feel really good about where they are coming from (because they're local). at regionalbest.com you can buy food from family-owned bakeries, farms, and ranches - like blueberry jam from north carolina and handmade Texas tamales - and ship to your friends (or yourself) anywhere in the country. there's even a vegan section on the site with tons of yummy goodies: vegan stuff

the hardest part is deciding what to order!

roasted brussels sprouts

for no apparent reason, brussels sprouts have been given a bad rap. in fact, in 2002, they were voted the most hated vegetable - it's just not fair. i think there are more people that are afraid to try them just because they think they'll hate them than people that have actually tried them and hate them. brussels sprouts are amazing, and if you've ever tried them roasted, you'll definitely agree with that statement. not to mention they are packed with vitamin K, vitamin C, and tons of other nutrients.

here is a recipe for roasted brussels sprouts that i use all the time:

buy organic brussels sprouts - i prefer the smaller ones, but you can just cut the larger ones in half
cut off the brown stems and place the brussels sprouts in a big bowl
drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper
toss brussels spouts until coated
place on pan and place in oven at 400 degrees
they will probably take about 20 minutes to brown, but keep checking on them.  when the outer leaves look like they are a little bit burnt, the brussels sprouts are ready

i like to toss them with some slivered almonds or sauteed shallots and enjoy!

coconut water

if rihanna drinks coconut water, we ALL should drink coconut water, right? not so fast. although it has been referred to as the "natural sports drink," the clear juice inside of young coconuts (aka coconut water) lacks essential ingredients that sports drinks like gatorade and powerade have.

when you sweat, you lose water, but you also lose sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. if you remember anything from 9th grade biology (or was it chemistry?), our cells use sodium-potassium pumps to regulate cellular volume. remember this diagram?  when you lose sodium (by sweating) you need to replace it, so that's why gatorade and powerade have sodium in them. if you were to replace your sports drink with coconut water, you'd be missing out on the sodium that your body desperately needs after a workout.

stick with water or gatorade when you're doing any kind of strenuous exercise, but don't feel like you have to toss your juice box just yet. coconut water is still good for you (and it's tasty) - it just shouldn't be your go-to for post-workout replenishing!

vibram five fingers

although i've resisted the urge for several months now, i finally caved this weekend and bought a pair of vibram five fingers. the hardest part about trying them on was forcing my pinky toe into the tiny pocket set aside for that seemingly useless toe, but other than that, they were fairly easy to get on. having your toes separated feels a bit funny at first, but it's actually kind of fun and it's supposed to be much better for your body anatomically. i went on my first run this morning with them (4 miles) and it was awesome. at first i felt like i was running in aqua socks, but soon enough i realized that i felt much swifter in the five fingers than i ever have in my traditional running shoes. i'm not sure how i'll feel after 10, 15, or 20 miles, but if this 4 mile run was any indication, i'll feel great. have any of you tried running in vibram five fingers?



vibram five fingers

the studio mdr

as you may remember from my post here, i am obsessed with spx pilates. i have been on somewhat of a hiatus for the past several months, and in the meantime, my favorite teacher ky decided to leave pilates plus and start working at a brand new studio on washington called the studio mdr. the studio was started by an ex-pilates plus student so she totally understands what it takes to make a studio successful. the color combination of nude and hot pink is both inviting and fun, which is everything you want a workout studio to be and all of the teachers are being trained by the amazing ky evans. i haven't actually been to a class yet (the studio opened today), but i'm attending my first one on wednesday morning and i'll be sure to post about my experience. in case you're interested in trying it out, see details on pricing and parking below:


first class is only $18
$35 single class
$99 three sessions
$155 five sessions
$265 ten sessions
$259 monthly unlimited
$219 monthly unlimited (w/three month commitment)
$475 twenty sessions


the studio mdr offers parking located on the ground floor of the latitude 33 parking garage which can be entered by making your first night off at via dolce and following the signs to spots labeled "retail" or "guest." in addition, there is ample free parking on side streets as well as plenty of metered parking on washington blvd directly in front of the studio.