Monday, January 31, 2011
Laughter is good for the soul
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Perfect Saturday Workout
This Saturday, I convinced my boyfriend to run the Greenwich and Filbert steps with me. Little did I know, he would actually have to double back to help me get up the stairs during one of our 3 passes. Yes, struck by an intense feeling of nausea, I had to sit down for a few minutes and admire the view. My legs felt heavy, my skin cold. Though I was so gung-ho at 8 am to do this workout, I found myself ready to call it quits halfway through. Elliot reminded me that the "I'm going to die" queasiness meant that I was really giving it my all. I know this, I've felt it before (running a hill near King's Park in Perth), but it's so easy to forget. The reminder has a way of putting things into perspective. I am doing my best. I am working so hard that I'm making myself sick. This is an achievement, and I should feel proud to be here, right now, feeling like this. And it all will pass in 5 minutes.
After we rewarded ourselves with a shared Blue Bottle latte at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market (yum!), we mulled over the idea of hiking up Mount Sutro, something we'd been wanting to do for a while. We were already out. With often busy schedules, when might we get another chance? Wouldn't brunch be even more delicious? Onto the Muni we went, Sutro bound.
If it's possible to leave the city while still staying in the heart of it, this hike is the portal. With leafy ferns, vines of gentle and violent varieties, tall trees covered by mosses and ivies, and a well maintained switch-backed path, it's easy to ignore the ascent to the top. On the descent, you can catch your breath and remark on the beauty of it all.
Lucky for us, the mist held of just long enough for us to take cover under a tree at our bus stop, and the rain long enough for us to catch the bus home. A perfect Saturday workout. Good locations, good views, good company.
After we rewarded ourselves with a shared Blue Bottle latte at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market (yum!), we mulled over the idea of hiking up Mount Sutro, something we'd been wanting to do for a while. We were already out. With often busy schedules, when might we get another chance? Wouldn't brunch be even more delicious? Onto the Muni we went, Sutro bound.
If it's possible to leave the city while still staying in the heart of it, this hike is the portal. With leafy ferns, vines of gentle and violent varieties, tall trees covered by mosses and ivies, and a well maintained switch-backed path, it's easy to ignore the ascent to the top. On the descent, you can catch your breath and remark on the beauty of it all.
Lucky for us, the mist held of just long enough for us to take cover under a tree at our bus stop, and the rain long enough for us to catch the bus home. A perfect Saturday workout. Good locations, good views, good company.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Saffron-Tomato Soup
It's a cold and gray afternoon in San Francisco. Warm up with a healthy favorite from my recipe book! This is actually a recipe I pulled from a magazine during my time living in Queensland, Australia. The heat from the saffron will warm you right up.
But first, a note from British nutrition expert, Patrick Holford, about tomatoes. In his book, The New Optimum Nutrition Bible, Holford explains that Lycopene is a "powerful antioxidant with anticancer properties, found in tomatoes... Lycopene in tomatoes becomes considerably more bioavailable when you juice, mash, or cook the tomatoes" (152). What this means is that, when you heat and puree the tomatoes for this soup, you are taking full advantage of the Lycopene that each tomato has to offer. Anticancer and anti-oxidized, hurray! Let's get started.
Saffron-Tomato Soup
Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
1/4 cup (60 mL) olive oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
3 celery stalks, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp saffron threads
1 can whole Roma tomatoes (For a salt-free alternative, use fresh Romas, boil them, and remove their skins)
2 tsp caster sugar
1 slice sourdough cracked wheat bread, cut into cubes, crusts removed (I like San Luis Sourdough or any sourdough with grains because more seeds and grains = more fiber)
2 cups (500 mL) vegetable stock (Go for a salt-reduced stock)
Basil leaves, to garnish
Reduced fat sour cream, to serve
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic. Season with salt (optional) and pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until softened. Lightly crush the saffron threads in a small bowl. Add 1 tsp of boiling water, and leave for 1 minute to infuse. Add saffron mix to pan, and cook for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, sugar, bread, and vegetable stock. Cook for 10 minutes. Puree in 2 batches until smooth. Return to pot. Ladle and garnish.
Happy dining!
But first, a note from British nutrition expert, Patrick Holford, about tomatoes. In his book, The New Optimum Nutrition Bible, Holford explains that Lycopene is a "powerful antioxidant with anticancer properties, found in tomatoes... Lycopene in tomatoes becomes considerably more bioavailable when you juice, mash, or cook the tomatoes" (152). What this means is that, when you heat and puree the tomatoes for this soup, you are taking full advantage of the Lycopene that each tomato has to offer. Anticancer and anti-oxidized, hurray! Let's get started.
Saffron-Tomato Soup
Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
1/4 cup (60 mL) olive oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
3 celery stalks, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp saffron threads
1 can whole Roma tomatoes (For a salt-free alternative, use fresh Romas, boil them, and remove their skins)
2 tsp caster sugar
1 slice sourdough cracked wheat bread, cut into cubes, crusts removed (I like San Luis Sourdough or any sourdough with grains because more seeds and grains = more fiber)
2 cups (500 mL) vegetable stock (Go for a salt-reduced stock)
Basil leaves, to garnish
Reduced fat sour cream, to serve
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic. Season with salt (optional) and pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until softened. Lightly crush the saffron threads in a small bowl. Add 1 tsp of boiling water, and leave for 1 minute to infuse. Add saffron mix to pan, and cook for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, sugar, bread, and vegetable stock. Cook for 10 minutes. Puree in 2 batches until smooth. Return to pot. Ladle and garnish.
Happy dining!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Happy New Year!
I came across an article this morning that highlights what exactly it is that people want to resolve this year. Ready?
"Top 10 New Year's Resolutions for 2011" by Suzanna Bowling
Surprise! Four out of 10 of those resolutions are health related.
My senior year of high school, I had a Government and Economics teacher who used to say something to the effect of, "If you have a problem, it's not my responsibility to fix it. If you have a problem, YOU have to fix it. It isn't my problem." This wasn't to say that he would not help you with a problem, but that, in life, you have to make changes to fix what is wrong. We can find help, form groups, work together, but we must bring about the initial decision to change something that is bothering us on our own.
Weight is a major topic of conversation in our society; we read about it in magazines, see it on tv, hear it on the radio and in podcasts. That we're overweight isn't a surprise, and those four New Year's resolutions make obvious the fact that we know we should be taking better care of ourselves. We don't feel well! We have health problems caused by our unhealthy weight. Are we really living?
I ask, Why not do something about it? REALLY do something about it this year. It's no time for weak wills and cheating on your word. This problem is self-created, and no one will fix it for you simply because you say you want to lose weight this year. There are no magic pills or ruby red slippers; only hard work, dedication, and sweat. Stop talking about it and do it! No more complaints. Empower yourself.
With this in mind, I'm offering free boot camp sessions for women this January in Golden Gate Park. Don't mistake my harsh words for anything other than concern and good intention. Sometimes everyone needs a little kick in the butt.
Register now because there are only 6 tickets per session.
Free Fit Foxes Boot Camp for Women - Morning
Free Fit Foxes Boot Camp for Women - Afternoon
Free Fit Foxes Bridal Boot Camp - Morning
Free Fit Foxes Bridal Boot Camp - Afternoon
For the record, resolution #9 is a big one on my list this year.
:)
"Top 10 New Year's Resolutions for 2011" by Suzanna Bowling
Surprise! Four out of 10 of those resolutions are health related.
My senior year of high school, I had a Government and Economics teacher who used to say something to the effect of, "If you have a problem, it's not my responsibility to fix it. If you have a problem, YOU have to fix it. It isn't my problem." This wasn't to say that he would not help you with a problem, but that, in life, you have to make changes to fix what is wrong. We can find help, form groups, work together, but we must bring about the initial decision to change something that is bothering us on our own.
Weight is a major topic of conversation in our society; we read about it in magazines, see it on tv, hear it on the radio and in podcasts. That we're overweight isn't a surprise, and those four New Year's resolutions make obvious the fact that we know we should be taking better care of ourselves. We don't feel well! We have health problems caused by our unhealthy weight. Are we really living?
I ask, Why not do something about it? REALLY do something about it this year. It's no time for weak wills and cheating on your word. This problem is self-created, and no one will fix it for you simply because you say you want to lose weight this year. There are no magic pills or ruby red slippers; only hard work, dedication, and sweat. Stop talking about it and do it! No more complaints. Empower yourself.
With this in mind, I'm offering free boot camp sessions for women this January in Golden Gate Park. Don't mistake my harsh words for anything other than concern and good intention. Sometimes everyone needs a little kick in the butt.
Register now because there are only 6 tickets per session.
Free Fit Foxes Boot Camp for Women - Morning
Free Fit Foxes Boot Camp for Women - Afternoon
Free Fit Foxes Bridal Boot Camp - Morning
Free Fit Foxes Bridal Boot Camp - Afternoon
For the record, resolution #9 is a big one on my list this year.
:)
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