CYH's Song of the Moment: Botany

I've been listening to this song all week.  For realz.

Bumble Bars

Dude...have you tried these Bumble Bars yet?! Holy Toledo, they are SO good! My next mission in the kitchen is to recreate my own version of them (with less sugar) so that I don't have to keep purchasing them. Stay tuned for a recipe, but in the meantime definitely pick up a few and give them a try. ENJOY!

Banalmond Sandwich

At a friend's BBQ this past summer, my friend John (he's below with a big red lipstick kiss on his cheek!) brought a plate of banana and almond butter sandwiches all cut up for everyone to enjoy. They were the perfect snack to grab while we were all hanging out and oh-so-good!!! I told him then and there that I would publicize this wonderful concoction of his on my blog to spread the deliciousness! I made a few adjustments and roughly jotted them down below for you to try. They are the perfect sandwich for you or your little munchkin to pack for breakfast or lunch. Or you could always steal John's idea and show up to a party with them!


Banalmond Sandwich

Ingredients:
1/2 banana
2 tablespoons almond butter
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon raw honey
1 teaspoon shredded coconut
your favorite bread (I always recommend Ezekiel bread)

Directions:
Mash banana with the rest of the ingredients together in a bowl using a fork. Add more of an ingredient depending on what you (or your child) like (more banana, more coconut, etc.). Once mixed, spread onto your favorite bread. Either pack up for the little one or enjoy right then and there! Enjoy!!

Yoga Festival by the Sea - Global Mala 2010

This weekend was the Yoga Festival by the Sea in Asbury Park, NJ. It was an exciting weekend of yoga, yummy vegan food and great people! =)
The Global Mala was founded by Shiva Rea to unite the global yoga community from every continent to form a "mala around the earth" by spreading peace in hopes that it has a ripple effect throughout the world. On Sunday, we gathered and practiced 108 sun salutations together on the Asbury Park boardwalk. All of the money raised for this event will go towards bringing yoga into Asbury Park Schools.
The first two pictures on here were shot by Kiersten Rowland of Prema Photographic (she got so many lovely shots of the day!) and the rest were a few that I snapped myself.

Ming, one of my wonderful yoga students flowed through ALL 108 sun salutes next to me with not one break! I was so impressed and proud of him, GO Ming!

Me flowing!

Jody, from Shrewsbury's Lululemon, cobra-ing on her mat together.

Chris (in red), my faithful yoga student and good friend. I knew he could do it!!

Reggie, from Yoga Basin who made this whole event happen.
Thanks, Reggie and all other yoga studios, yoga teachers, local businesses and vendors
for such a wonderful weekend!!!

Sufjan's All Delighted People EP

Sufjan Steven's new 8-song EP, All Delighted People, is straight up wonderful. I love how Asthmatic Kitty Records describes him, "Sufjan mixes autobiography, religious fantasy, and regional history to create folk songs of grand proportions." His indie-folk sound is so eclectic and broad with an electronic twist, I just can't get enough of it. I adore ALL that he has ever created and always look forward to more. He will be releasing his next full length album in October. I obviously am counting down the days!

The song Enchanting Ghost, (click image on right to play on YouTube), is lovely and reminiscent of his unmistakable sound that resonates so well with me. The Owl and the Tanager (click Sufjan image to listen on YouTube) may be the most gorgeous song I've ever heard him sing (I'm totally exaggerating, because I can say that about 10 of his other songs) as he wails through a bunch of "ooooo's." I sing along and try to harmonize with him but it probably doesn't sound as pretty as I think it does. The end of the EP is Djohariah, a 17-minute treat for the ears with noisy guitar jams, strings and horns while a dramatic chorus and beautiful Sufjan sings. Heaven!

Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats

This past labor day my friend Danny had another rooftop party on his lovely roof in Asbury Park. The weekend, as you all know, was a gorgeous one. He was grilling up some fresh veggies and had prepared his delicious roasted red pepper hummus, roasted lemon garlic hummus and fresh salsa for all who came to party. I brought a batch of chocolate rice crispy treats for everyone and they were a total hit! SO easy to make, so delicious and just a little sugar!

Lauren's Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats

Ingredients:
1 cup brown rice syrup
½ cup almond butter
½ cup barley malt sweetened chocolate chips
3 cups brown rice crispies cereal
1/2 banana (optional)

Directions:
Heat brown rice syrup and almond butter in a large skillet, over low heat until creamy. Stir in the chips until they melt. Remove from the heat and stir in rice crispies. Gently press into a baking dish. Slice thin banana rings and press gently on top of mixture. Sprinkle with a dash of raw sugar on top (optional). Allow mixture to set until firm, about 30 minutes. Cut into squares and enjoy. As you can see from the pictures, Danny sure did!!!

About Brown Rice Syrup
Brown rice syrup is a natural sweetener produced from fermented cooked rice by treating it naturally with enzymes from sprouted barley.
 Brown rice syrup is a good source of minerals, magnesium, potassium and iron.

Lundberg makes an organic, non-GMO and gluten free brown rice syrup called Sweet Dreams that is available at any health food store.  I got a good two batches out of one bottle.