Xhale Yoga Retreat- Pai, Thailand

The ideal setting for a yoga retreat

                                       Daily Schedule

                                            Break time

Made so many wonderful friends from all over the world

Since my yoga retreat, I can't stop raving to my family, friends, and even strangers just how amazing the retreat was. This was my very first yoga retreat and I didn't know what to expect. All I knew was that I was going to spend six days doing yoga and eating vegetarian food. The only hope I probably had was to lose weight! 

I've being practicing yoga on and off for about seven years now and I'm always looking for another reason to fully dedicate myself to the practice, I think I finally found it. The retreat focuses on a deeper understanding of the yoga practice and encompasses a range of yoga styles so you're never bored with the routine. One of the most important lessons of any retreat is learning to incorporate the techniques and training into daily life. I'll be the first to admit that it's difficult as hell especially with the crazy lifestyle we all have these days.

 So here are a few tips:

-Change it up: I've been looking for new and innovative yoga studios in NYC. It's easy to get into a routine rut, even if you are a true blown yogi, it's always nice to explore other styles. I found an aerial yoga class at OM Factory and yin yoga classes at Yoga Agora. Can't wait to try these :)

-Take a moment to breathe: We often forget that the easiest way out of any tense situation is to breathe. It's a full proof way to release any stress or tension.

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Easy Vegan Apple Crumble

                                    Ingredients for the filling

                                  Filling all mixed together

                                Dry ingredients for the crumble

                            Crumble topping is loaded with almonds

                              Out of the oven and ready to enjoy!


Ugh! I indulged so much on my six month trip that I'm going VEGAN! Just kidding! I love meat and butter too much to give it all up. But I do have a crazy sweet tooth and fruit desserts are my vice. As much as I love apple strudels and tarte tatin aux pommes, I just crave a good ol' apple crumble or crisp. But a traditional crumble or crisp is loaded with butter and processed sugar. So I devised a healthy yet scrumptious and satisfying apple crumble recipe that won't disappoint. This recipe won't take you longer than 45 minutes (including baking time) and you probably have all these ingredients on hand. The recipe only serves one in a medium sized ramekin. Multiply accordingly for multiple servings.

Easy Vegan Apple Crumble

Filling:
1 medium sized apple-cored and cubed (preferably Gala or Pink Lady)
1/4 cup of raisins (soaked in water and drained)
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of maple syrup

Topping:
1/4 cup of rolled oats
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1/2 cup of slivered almonds
2 pitted dates

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss the apples, raisins, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a bowl. Place the oats, cinnamon, coconut oil, and half (1/4 cup) of the slivered almonds, and dates into the food processor. Pulse the mixture a few times until it clumps together. Mix the oat mixture with the remaining 1/4 cup of almonds. If needed, add more coconut oil to the mixture.

Transfer the apple filling into a medium sized ramekin and sprinkle with the oat topping. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes or until the topping is slightly brown and crispy. Serve warm. :)

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Breakfast: Spinach with Almonds and a Poached Egg

I love poached eggs. It's comforting and such a treat to have on the weekends for brunch. But it doesn't just have to be a brunch item. Poached eggs are easy to make and when you add spinach to the mix it packs on a daily dose of Vitamin A.  This recipe is easy peasy and the toasted almonds create a nutty sauce when mixed with the runny egg yolk.

Spinach with Almonds and a Poached Egg

1 1/2 cups of baby spinach
1 egg
1/4 cups of toasted almonds
1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste

Makes 1 Serving

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Toss in the spinach and cook for about 1 minute. Drain the spinach and leave aside. Next, pour the vinegar into the same boiling water and bring down to a simmer. Crack the egg into a mug and slowly pour the egg into the simmering water. The vinegar ensures the whites stay together and the mug allows the poached egg to keeps its shape. Cook the egg in the simmering water for 3-5 minutes, depending on the desired doneness of the whites. Add the toasted almonds to the spinach and top with the poached egg.

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Kale Goodness

I love my green juices, but I lack the discipline to stick to a juice cleanse for longer than a day. However, I have no problem incorporating at least one green juice to my daily diet. This is an easy and delicious way to eat kale. Kale is best consumed raw so it maintains its fantastic health properties. I like to use Gala or Pink Lady apples and the inherent sweetness creates a great balance against the bitterness of raw kale. Lastly, ginger gives it a bit of a kick and adds a refreshing note to the juice. Enjoy! 

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Honey Lavender Chia Seed Pudding

The first time I had chia seed pudding was at Organic Avenue. I just finished my workout and was craving something sweet. I had a choice between a raw cacao bar or the pudding. I decided to give the pudding a try since it resembled tapioca pudding and I'm a HUGE fan of tapioca pudding. After that I was hooked! My inspiration for this recipe comes from my addiction to chia seed pudding and the best gelato I've ever had in my life.

While in Rome, we stopped into this ever so conspicuous gelato shop nestled between a garden alley and a church. At first when we walked by, we didn't even realize it was a gelato shop, there was no sign! Business was good, so we decided to give it a try. I'm a huge fan of lavender so I had to try the Lavender and White Peach. It tastes just as good as it sounds. It was hands down the best gelato I've ever had. Mind you, I was on a two servings of gelato per a day for a month diet! ;)

Not only does this pudding taste good, but it's incredibly good for you. Chia seeds are an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper. Believe it or not, but chia seeds have more calcium than milk and more iron than spinach! Enjoy!

Honey Lavender Chia Seed Pudding

3 tablespoons of honey lavender tea, cooled (steep the lavender in less water than you normally would for a more robust flavor)

3 tablespoons of agave nectar or maple syrup (optional, if  the desired sweetness was not already achieved through the cashew milk)

1/4 cup of chia seeds

About 1 cup of Cashew Milk (add more or less depending on consistency preference)

Cashew Milk

1 cup of raw cashews

2 cups of water (more is needed for soaking)

3 tablespoons of agave nectar

Makes 2 servings

First, soak the raw cashews overnight in water. After, drain the liquid and blend the cashews, water, and agave until smooth and milky. If a smooth consistency is not achieved, sieve the milk through a mesh strainer and/or through a cheese cloth.

Pour the cashew milk over the chia seeds. Stir in the honey lavender tea. Continue to stir the mixture, on/off, for the next 15 minutes. The chia seeds will slowly absorb the milk and the consistency of the mixture will thicken. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with fresh fruit or on its own is good too!

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Banana Bhud

                       Banana Bhud (named after my yoga instructor, Bhud)

I have a MAJOR sweet tooth. I take them in any shape or form; cakes, puddings, pies, ice cream, chocolate, vanilla...you name it, I like it. So when I realized that I wasn't going to have dessert for a week, I started to panic. Luckily, I wasn't the only one that was in dire need of some sweet satisfaction. One night, me and my partner in crime, Erin, discovered something amazing. Bananas, honey, and cinnamon. Healthy, simple, and satisfying! I have to say, after a few Banana Bhuds, the whole retreat started eating them!

If you're feeling extra sinful, substitute the cinnamon with some cocoa powder. :)

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Spinach Salad with Tomatoes and Quinoa

One of my best experiences during my six month journey was my yoga retreat in Pai, Thailand. The food was absolutely amazing and I didn't miss meat once. In an effort to reverse the damage I've done to my body in the past six months, I've been inspired to make healthy food taste good.

Spinach Salad with Tomatoes and Quinoa

1 1/2-2 cups of baby spinach (washed and dried)
10 cherry or grape tomatoes
3 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup of cooked quinoa (preferably red quinoa)

Makes 2 servings

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and saute garlic for 2 minutes.
2. Add spinach and saute for about 1 minute. (I don't like my spinach overcooked)
3. Add tomatoes. (If you prefer your tomatoes cooked thoroughly, than reverse the last two steps)
4. Finally, toss in the cooked quinoa and add salt and pepper for taste.

*For added protein to the dish, feel free to add chia seeds. 

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The Fruits of our World

                       Rose Apple or Wax Jambu. Native to Malaysia and Thailand.

    Who would have thought fruits native to Southeast Asia would be so popular in Amsterdam!

                                         Dragon Fruit

                                          Mangosteen

                                            Rambutan

                                       

                                     

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Coffee Reading aka Kahve Fali

I'm not a firm believer of fortune telling or psychics, but every so often I enjoy knowing what I can possibly look forward to in the coming year. There are many variations of coffee reading and differ with culture. The one I had required the cup to be covered with the saucer and turned upside-down for 10-15 minutes. I can't say if the lady that gave me a coffee reading was a pro, but some comments sure hit home...

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Christmas Eve

             Andrassy Ave was completely deserted. This pic was taken around 20:00

                                   No dancing tonight :(

     Not my favorite Christmas Eve meal, but it was better than chocolate and chips back at the flat.

                Anyone up for a root canal?? Only place opened on Christmas Eve!

Probably the worst day of the year possible for a tourist to be in Budapest. By 14:00, all stores, markets, restaurants, attractions, and public transportation shuts down. I found myself googling in our flat, "What is a tourist to do in Budapest on Christmas Eve?". The answer: Nothing. Food options are LIMITED! We trekked along Andrassy Ave. and found one or two spots open, but we ended up at the Oktogon and had Turkish food! What else?! 

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Christmas Markets

                                          Vienna

                                             Prague

                                 Kaiserpunsch from Vienna

                           Kurtos Kalacs (available in Prague and Budapest)

                                Streudels-they taste good cold!

                                  Beautiful glass ornaments

                                         Budapest

I can't think of anywhere else I rather be on Christmas, but roaming these beautiful markets. The tastes, sights, and sounds will have you head over heels. After six years of traveling for Christmas and my birthday, this is definitely on the top of my list. :)
Prague: Honey Wine and I enjoyed the Langos (fried dough topped with garlic, ketchup, and grated cheese) but you're gonna have some kickin garlic breath!
Vienna: Hands down best place to shop for ornaments. Best part is that the stands are color coordinated (I stuck with the snow white ornaments!) After strolling around numerous markets, the only market we were able to find Kaiserpunsch (best punsch!) was at the Rathausplatz market. Side Trip: The Salzburg Christmas market in the center of town had the best wurst and sauerkraut.
Budapest: Head to Vorosmarty Square. Kurtos Kalacs (cylinder shaped pastry coated in cinnamon sugar, vanilla, or walnuts) and the Streudels. The hot cherry beer was also a notable drink.

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Kale Chips

                                        No brown leaves!

After numerous attempts at perfecting kale chips, I think I've got it. I start by marinading the kale in the olive oil for at least 20 minutes. By doing so, I have noticed that the chips turn out to be less oily. I bake my kale in a convection oven at 300degrees F. for 15 minutes or so but after the first 5 minutes I toss my kale constantly (meaning every 2-3 minutes). Unless your kale leaves are identically sized, chances are you are going to have to toss your kale. Add salt to taste once your kale crisps up. Enjoy!

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I missed you....

After non-stop Indian food for almost two weeks, I couldn't wait to get back and eat some of my favorite food. On the top of my list of cravings was....a salad! Not a usual craving of mine, but I missed having something fresh. My favorite salad consists of beets, goat cheese, candied walnuts (or pecans), and some baby greens. Delicious!! And of course I didn't forget my sweet tooth, BANANA CREAM PIE!!!! from Hill Country Fried Chicken. Hands down best Banana Cream Pie in NYC. 

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