1. Beautycounter! I love it. I sell it (I think I told you). I wear it. It’s much much safer than conventional beauty and it offers options for just about everything. I love, love, love the new makeup, and the cleansing balm is my favorite thing of all time. Also, the overnight peel. Amaze. Really. Put this on at night, look better in the morning. I think I’m personally a skincare minimalist, and I am a little more detailed with makeup, but whichever way you lean, beautycounter has something you’ll love. Let me introduce you two! Contact me to find your new favorites. Or explore the lineup here. #switchtosafer

2. I’ve been attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, to put a more formal spin on my coaching. I started in May with the accelerated 6 month program, and it’s re-inspiring me with health and coaching in a lot of ways. But also reinforcing what I know for sure. Nice to know I know what I know. Wait, what? You get it. In any case I’ll be sharing some thoughts inspired by the learning. And I’m offering free intro coaching sessions as part of my requirement for school. Interested? Contact me to set up a call. As a thank you I will follow up with some free tips to start you on the way towards your goals.

3. I’ve been teaching more. I seem to talk and sing a lot in these classes, and I tell you what it’s kind of a nice change. I love that I get to share my love of the practice with a tiny bit more theory than I do just cranking people into a bind. Though hey that’s great too. Check me out at Euphoria Yoga in Woodstock 11:30 am Thursday the 16^th and Thursdays thereafter. And stay tuned for updates! I hope to host a few pop ups, include some recipes and treats, and generally step it up. What are YOU craving in a yoga class or gathering this late summer and early fall?

4. It’s zucchini season! Yup it’s full force right now. Did you know August 8 was National Sneak Some Zucchini on Your Neighbor’s Porch Day? It is. It’s a thing. They even give you instructions. You sneak over there quietly, leave your zucchini and run away.

But there are lots of great ways to use it up, even if you’re sick of it. This latest one is a go-to of mine, but I don’t know if I’ve ever published it. Sometimes I don’t even sauté the noodles, I’m that lazy, and they’re good raw too. But it’s only a 5 minute stove top affair if you want them cooked. The dish is shown here with some raw mushroom falafels I pulled out of an old recipe book, but it doesn’t really need anything fancy. My favorite toppings are ripe summer cherry tomatoes and raw pine nuts with an extra swirl of olive oil and a sprinkle of basil. But you could put any protein you like on top too.

And with that, here’s how you can use up the zucchini I leave on your porch…

Have a delectable week. And don’t forget to contact me for your free health history.

The post Lately, and Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Cream first appeared on A Life Delectable.

In the meantime we’ll call them Euphoric Chocolate Delights.

Anyway, I stole the recipe from my brother (yup, that’s a first) but perfected the process in a Laura Life Delectable kind of way, as we know I do.  I simplified a bunch, as I like them pretty plain flavor wise. I don’t like too many other spices, herbs or flavorings in my chocolate. I’m a purist.

Though next week I’m thinking of how to stuff or coat them with peanut butter. I mean, what could be bad?

Back to now. These little chocolate energy balls are so awesome they really are euphoric. It could be because I craft them with a little witchery, or it could just be that chocolate + sea salt + dates = divinity. But any way you slice it you’re going to want to make them. I served them after teaching yoga at Euphoria in Woodstock the other day and I think everyone got a chocolate high! Guess that fits the setting!

If you’ve got a high speed blender that’s my first choice for grinding the nuts and chocolate, but you can also use a food processor. And you’ll want to freeze them solid to really solidify the coating, then put them in the fridge for a little while before serving, or on the counter for 10 minutes, provided it’s not the dog days of summer.

I highly recommend combining them with yoga for your most Euphoric experience.

The post Euphoric Chocolate Delights (or something like that) first appeared on A Life Delectable.

Recovered from your Thanksgiving yet? If not I recommend tons of greens, a good sweat and lots of water. Oh and don’t go baking ginger molasses cookies like I did. Big no-no. (But if you want the recipe, coming this week!)

In other news, I’m sure you’ve noticed the holiday marketing and sales are hitting hard, and I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you about you to my newest endeavor. As you know, I’ve been a beauty editor and writer and something of a beauty addict for years. I’ve made no secret of the fact that personal care is not well regulated in the US. In fact, it’s a mess. Barely regulated at all! Did you know the EU bans over 1,400 chemicals and US has only partially regulated about 30 substances to date, and hasn’t passed a law regulating personal care products since 1938?!

So I have finally started do something more about it. Because I want to have more impact, I’ve decided to team up with Beautycounter and help them spread their word of “Beautiful products, made safe.”

I love this company’s mission and what they are doing in the world! They have committed to creating high performing products that go well above and beyond the safety standards required in the US, and are working to make laws on personal care more stringent to help keep us all safe. If you do one thing, snag their “never list” of chemicals to never ever ever allow into your personal care items (and what they would never ever use in their formulas).

I also happen to love their lipstick, their eyeliner and mascara, their body butter, their cleansing balm, their eye cream, their haircare…and and and. And by the way it is REALLY hard to make these things both safe and beautiful. They did! 

There’s so much more to say, but to keep things short and sweet for now, I’d love for you to contact me and ask questions. Even if you don’t need any new personal care items, I urge you to learn more about the problems we face with cosmetics safety in the US. Again, if you don’t know anything, the Never List is a great place to start.

AND, if you’re looking for gifts (for yourself or others!) this is a great way to promote healthier holidays, shop small (that’s me y’all!) and help friends and family be beautiful inside and out.

Just for today, Cyber Monday, there are lots of great deals, including travel sets of the new skincare and hair care lines, their awesome body oil and free shipping. Just go here and check it all out. I think the travel set is good for anyone, the oil is great for you dry Vatta types (you know who you are) and everyone can use a little pop of color for holiday parties.

As always, I am never prescriptive, I’ll never give you the hard sell. I can’t seem to tell people what they “have” to eat or what kind of yoga they “must” do and how they “should” do it, never mind exactly what cosmetics to use, but I hope to encourage more of the people I love to use safer products of all kinds (dryer sheets I’m looking at you!) and it keep their loved ones safe too. I will continue to share my love of many brands of beauty and personal care items (I’m a New Yorker, after all, I’m never gonna be a “one-stop-shopper”), but I’m totally behind Beautycounter and their goal to get safer beauty into the hands of everyone and can’t wait to share my passion with you.

Be in touch!

Check it all out…

And, here’s to healthier holidays and many beautiful, healthy years ahead!

With love,

L

The post Safer Beauty, Healthier Holdidays first appeared on A Life Delectable.

But never mind that now.

I’ve noticed that quite a few folks are still looking for Thanksgiving mains that don’t involve poultry or meat of any kind. Yup, it’s sort of last minute, but hey, I haven’t decided what’s going into my sweet potato dish yet either.

That’s a lie, I’m just trying to make you feel better…

Anyway, as a guest, it’s always so nice to have a vegetarian dish that doesn’t feel like a side dish, an afterthought. So if you are trying to make a vegetarian welcome (or convince your Omni family that plants taste amazing!) this is one of my favorite creations from the recent past, and fits that bill nicely. It’s got great texture and is hearty and savory enough not to feel like “just a pile of vegetables.” Serve it slathered in cranberry sauce or veggie gravy or a tangy cashew cream and I’m sure you’ll wow your guest so. 

The post Thanksgiving Stuffing Skillet Bake first appeared on A Life Delectable.

I first made this for my birthday, and served it over dark chocolate fudge cake with vanilla ice cream. Yeah. That worked.

I then made it for a recipe contest and served it with coconut cake and fresh figs. That didn’t suck.

I can picture it over pancakes with sautéed cinnamon spiced apples and pecans. I can see it over a bowl of the creamiest cashew/coconut/vanilla ice cream. I bet it would be great over a dense buttery cake.

But my favorite way to serve might be with tart apple or pear slices. My cousin Debra used to do this with traditional caramel at family holidays back in the day and I thought it was genius. I mean, who doesn’t like dipping and licking fingers? Omg so good!

And I won’t tell anyone if you eat it plain right off the spoon.

The post Bourbon Vanilla Salted Caramel Sauce first appeared on A Life Delectable.

Around the middle of August we had a few of these days and I thought, “hey, is this my birthday present?” But on the flip side, I suddenly didn’t’ know what to eat. A smoothie just seemed stupid, I mean, I don’t want to need hot tea and a heating pad after breakfast every day, do I? And sometimes I just don’t want eggs. Plus, oatmeal doesn’t stick with me. I get overly full and then suddenly empty.

And this was the inspiration for my new quinoa porridge. More protein and staying power than oats, all the comfort of porridge. Now, it’s not a new idea. It’s everywhere. But I’ve never liked it. Something about how grainy it is rather than creamy and comforting just didn’t do it for me. It was like I wanted to like it, but didn’t really.

So, I set to work perfecting. I needed a boost of flavor: fresh ginger. I needed more creaminess: blend some of the quinoa with the “milk.” I really really needed extra staying power: chia seeds. Oh, and fat, you gotta have fat.

Yeah, when it comes to food, I am detail oriented, as a new friend recently pronounced. Shocker.

You don’t have to make your quinoa porridge this way. You can just throw some cooked quinoa in a pot with nut milk and heat it up. But I highly suggest you try my way. It’s perfection, if I do say so myself.

In the middle of August I topped it with local berries and it was amazing! I also tried just almond butter and bananas, one sad day when there was no other fruit. But I finally landed on the perfect toppings for fall, suggested in the recipe below. They are optional, of course, but I love the combination. Crunchy toasty nuts, maple syrup, tart cherries and a drizzle of cold milk (like my grandma used to do…). And if you need to simplify your mornings you can do the whole process in advance then just reheat with more of your choice of milk in the morning. Throw it in a thermos and hit the road.

Yeah, fall is on its way, and I’m not ready for boots and socks yet. But this warming breakfast is easing the transition.

Happy breakfasting!

The post Perfect Quinoa Porridge first appeared on A Life Delectable.

I have a feeling we’ll all be enjoying this recipe long after Thanksgiving too. It’s so easy! I ate it a variety of ways and they all worked for me. At room temperature, right after blending, it was easy and satisfying. Chilled, it was a delicious and simple dessert (especially comforting when drizzled with cashew milk and maple syrup) and when heated till just bubbling it thickened up impressively and was reminiscent of a breakfast porridge but grain free. So comforting and easy on the belly!

I’ve topped it decadently with crushed (gluten free) ginger snaps, pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup. I’ve nestled it gently into tiny ginger snap crusts and topped it with chunks of crystallized ginger. I’ve even stood at the counter licking the spatula and blender jar rather than serving it at all. Ok, I am a little addicted, and I predict you will be too.

The post Anytime Pumpkin Pudding first appeared on A Life Delectable.

Notes:

I used a protein powder I happened to have around, but I don’t have a favorite. Protein powders are so personal. Just choose one you like, sub for straight hemp powder (which is gritty, but very simple with no artificial flavors or stevia) or even sub for a couple of tablespoons of nut butter.

If you prefer a creamy treat that’s not quite as frosty (Ayurveda types I’m looking at you) take out the ice and add avocado to taste. In fact, you can add avocado even if you do use ice, for a thicker texture.

If you prefer a sweeter treat, one juicy medjool date will do the trick, or a teaspoon or two of honey or maple syrup.

Happy blending!

The post My Favorite Matcha Frosty first appeared on A Life Delectable.

Yeah, and if you believe that I have some ocean-front property in the Everglades you might like.

No, the truth is I am a work in progress, just like everyone else. And despite the beautiful veggie/smoothie/raw dessert shots I splash all over IG, I also eat out too often, just to get out of the house when being a solo-preneur makes me feel trapped. I am also more reactive than I’d like. In face, yesterday I was upset by a personal interaction and totally lost my cool, ate all my travel snacks in a row and then ended up beating myself up for an hour or two. But because of so much yoga practice and work on myself, these times are rarer and rarer. I have more ‘wins’, more grace and calm breathing through crisis as time goes on.

I think it’s easy in this digital world to see only one side of things. I have FOMO too by the way! SO much. I should definitely quit Facebook. Yeah, right. That’s gonna happen.

Even though I try to show some of the messiness and talk about the ‘hard parts’ of life too, I’m not sure it completely hits home. And it’s important to show the struggle. After all, how can someone help you out of the ditch if they haven’t experienced what it’s like to be stuck down there themselves?

Understand this: whatever emotional eating issue, body image crisis, lack of motivation, beating yourself up, perfectionist, pendulum swinging thing you are going through, I have been there. More than once. And after so many years of slogging around at the bottom of that ditch, I know how to help you climb out of it.

That doesn’t mean life will be all rainbows and unicorns and kale salads. Though today was a great day of meditation, yoga, healthy food, productivity and calm mind, tomorrow I may wake up, check facebook from my bed and haul off to the diner for a stack of pancakes slathered in syrup while stewing over all my faults. I really hope I don’t, but if I do, I won’t whip myself erotically after the fact. I will walk around the block, drink a green juice (or maybe a great glass of red wine) and get over it.

This is balance. Just like some of those crazy yoga inversions, it is not a static spot. You don’t land there and say “ah, balance, there you are.” And just stay stock still. You have to make constant micro-adjustments to stay there.

Can you get down with that? Then let’s get there! My 90-day bespoke program is designed to help you tune into your own needs, joys, likes and dislikes and tune up the vibration to help you find that place of balance that is delectable and sustainable for you.

Book your free consultation now and let’s get going>>

With love, lemon water and (raw) chocolate covered cookies.

-Laura

The post My Shiny Happy Life first appeared on A Life Delectable.

And it has a whole host of other benefits. This is pretty good roundup of matcha’s powers. And this is a great description of how it gives you calm focus. Love that!

I love matcha as a supplement to my daily routine, but every now and then I’ll go a little further and trade in my beloved coffee for a matcha only month. When I recently did that and started posting pictures of my yummy drinks, I got a lot of comments from people who want to love it, but just don’t.

Well, in all honesty, you don’t have to drink it! Coffee has antioxidants too…and hey, I drink coffee most of the time. If you can handle the super charged feeling of drinking coffee, and it’s your love, go for it. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables have antioxidants too. Red wine… No one superfood can ‘fix’ your health. But, if you really want to drink matcha and are unsure what to do with it, I have a few tips and a recipe that may make you a believer.

Tip #1:

If you’re new to matcha and it’s too grassy/bitter/pungent for you, try ceremonial grade. People will try to sell you on the culinary variety if you’re making a latte out of it, but I find culinary matchas rather bitter, and often muddy tasting (and kind of a muddy green color too, as opposed to bright green like fresh spring peas). I like the smoothness and sweet quality of the higher grade. There are many ceremonial matchas that are affordable. Just do some experimenting until you find what you like. Here’s a link to the best matcha guide of all time, you’re sure to find something here.

Tip #2:

Make a latte. Yes, it is more traditional to drink it straight up, but tradition isn’t everything. It will be just as good for you in a creamy treat-like latte that you actually want to drink. Though there is some evidence to suggest that pairing matcha with dairy products negates the antioxidant effect, so go for nut milks or coconut milk.

Tip #3:

Make it into dessert. Got a favorite vegan vanilla ice cream/smoothie/chia pudding/raw tart recipe? Add a little matcha and turn up the flavor and health benefits.

And finally, here is my favorite matcha latte recipe. To enjoy it hot, use hot water. To enjoy it cold, use cold water and pour it over ice. Like it creamier? Add more coconut oil or cashews. Like it stronger? Add more matcha. Like it sweeter? Add more honey. Or less if you go for that slightly bitter quality.You can’t ruin it. And it’s much faster than brewing coffee.

The post World’s Easiest Matcha Latte first appeared on A Life Delectable.