Forgive the lack of photos here. It has been an incredibly busy time for me and I haven't been able to document much of what's been happening in my kitchen. I've been preparing for my reading at the Berkshire Festival of Women Writers, as part of a small group called Who Cares. This is our official description:
Through the prism of personal experience with an aging parent, a dying sibling, a child with a disability, a partner with a chronic illness, and a job in a white lab coat, these five writers represent the collected thoughts of those engaged in the give and take of care. The event includes a reading and a panel discussion on nurturing the self while tending to others. 
Anyone interested in attending our presentation on Thursday, March 27th at 7pm at Kripalu in Lenox, Mass. can find details here. 

Leading up to this, I will be at Kripalu for a three-day yoga retreat that will entail meditation, clean eating, yoga (of course), hiking on the beautiful grounds and massage. I am beyond excited and feel so lucky I get to do this, especially right now when I really need it!

I have also signed up to participate in a 21-Day Detox, a group cleanse led (virtually) by my marvelous health coach, Sara Seinberg. It starts on April 4th and includes a wealth of ideas for cleansing the body, mind and spirit in preparation for the new season ahead. Follow her on Facebook for more info and updates.

With all that in mind, I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of the smoothies and juices and soups I have been enjoying and will continue to enjoy over the next month (and beyond, of course). I'll often make a green juice of some sort to start off the day, and then I have a nutrient-packed smoothie after my morning workout. In the evenings, I've been eating a lot of simply roasted fish with vegetables and salads, or even just a bowl of green soup. (Like this one; or this asparagus soup.) I have not been feeling deprived, although I still do have sugar cravings which are somewhat assuaged with a strong cup of cinnamon tea. If you have never tried this, I think you will be amazed by its natural sweetness. I like this one.

If reading this is making you feel restless, inadequate, lazy and fat, I totally empathize. But at some point, you just have to replace all the negative feelings and self-judgments with something that—in the long run, if not right away—feels a whole lot better. One immediate pay-off? Regular workouts have eliminated those little aches and pains, and even the more serious lower back issues, that I've been experiencing. Healthy eating makes my skin glow. Can't find the time? You just have to make up your mind that you love yourself enough to give yourself what you need. More on this subject? Pick up this book.

The orange drink, above, is one of my new favorite smoothies:

1/2 garnet yam (raw, skin on), in chunks
1 carrot, in chunks
1 tablespoon coconut cream
1/4 cup raw cashews
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon maca powder
pinch sea salt
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup coconut water
ice cubes

Blend at high speed until well combined. It comes out a little chalky but tastes great - sort of like an orange julius!

I'm also loving this one:

2 large handfuls baby spinach
1 green apple, in chunks
1 knob ginger
1 small frozen banana, in chunks
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup coconut water
1 scoop green protein powder

Blend at high speed until well combined.

For more smoothie ideas, and my recipe for vegan protein powder, go here.

As far as juices, some recent favorites include:

pear, fennel, watercress, lemon, ginger

pineapple, cucumber, romaine, cilantro, jalapeño

grapefruit, orange, lemon, ginger, cayenne 

spinach, celery, green apple, parsley, ginger


I love, love, love my Vitamix for smoothies and can now officially endorse my Hurom slow juicer, which has been doing a fantastic job for the better part of two years. (Breville juicers and blenders of all sorts work just fine, too.)

I look forward to hearing about what you're doing to wake your body up after this long winter.

Sending you much love xo