by Caroline | Sep 23, 2017 | Recipes, Wellness
‘Tis the season of plaid, apple picking, and pumpkin flavored everything! All the basic bitches are out in their scarves, uggs, and Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes, even if it’s still warm and sunny. Personally, I never jumped on the pumpkin spice latte band wagon. If you’ve ever googled in the ingredients you might know what I am talking about. The Food Babe, one of my favorite bloggers, was one of the first people to call out the health and safety of the ingredients used to make this addicting and trendy drink. I want to share this great infographic she made that shows you really what is in that drink. I won’t go into all of that here, but as someone who prefers to be in control of her health, this is something I feel very strongly about.
So Where Can You Get a Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte?
Make make own version of course! And on that note, my fierce health warrior sister, you can make your own healthier versions of ANYTHING. I give you permission to experiment. Just try things out, and make shit up in the kitchen. Don’t worry about failure. If there’s one thing I can give you here (besides this recipe) it’s the power to know that you can do this too.
I used ingredients I already had in my house to come up with my own healthier version of the pumpkin spice late. I have to say I kinda like it!!! I’m not a coffee person but this is light and creamy, with just the right amount of spice and sweetness. I’m going to keep this simple and sweet, just like this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1.4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2-1 tsp pumpkin pie spice.
- 1/2 cup black coffee
- *Optional* Honey or stevia to taste
Directions
- Whisk or blend: coconut milk, cinnamon, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice so the mixture is even and a little frothy
- Heat on a stove over medium heat to a simmer.
- Pour in 3/4 cup of black coffee
- Add any additional sweetener you desire.
- *Optional* To make it extra frothy use a whisk or put it back in the blender for a few seconds.
Serve or drink in your favorite Starbucks cup and body will know the difference!
P.S. Please feel free to use this recipe as a place to start, then jazz it up or modify it any way you want. Use almond milk, or real milk if that’s your jam. Throw in some pumpkin puree- I bet that would be SOOO good. Make it your own!
by Caroline | Jul 16, 2017 | Wellness |
I have the privilege of calling this wellness leader my friend. Erica Velasquez is the creator of Yoga in the Vines- my favorite summer tradition, and founder of Evolve East– a wellness based business in the Hamptons, specializing in yoga, meditation, and Thai massage. We met when she was working at Wolffer Estate Vineyard (home to my favorite rosé of all time) and we quickly realized we both had a passion for wellness. So there is something good that can come out of hanging out at the winery all the time!!
I interviewed Erica for Bloom & Spark because I felt that her mission and work are incredibly aligned with the values of this blog. I’m also super excited about sharing the inspiring work that women in the wellness field are doing. I feel very lucky to know so many phenomenal women and want to support and honor their beautiful work.
How did you get started in yoga and wellness?
I’ve always loved to dance and move. I remember looking into a yoga studio window as a teenager and seeing students all in headstand. I remember thinking what in the world are those people doing?!!! I have to learn more.
Tell me about the business you run and how you are helping women with their wellness?
My business is Yoga in the Vines which is an outdoor yoga studio based at Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack. I also own Evolveast which offers services such as retreats, private yoga and health related investments. I am on a mission to provide women (and men) the opportunity to reap the health benefits of spending time in nature. I believe time spent outdoors can heal, cure and rejuvenate a person. Taking a time out from technology, cellphones and computers is a must for wellness.
What are your favorite resources (books, industry leaders, podcasts) for living a healthy and happy lifestyle?
My favorite resources for living a healthy and happy lifestyle are the yoga teachers and leaders of the Hamptons. I am so thankful we are surrounded by a community full of the very best instructors.
What are your favorite types of yoga/movement and why?
Favorite type of yoga is a strong vinyasa class with restorative poses towards the end of class. It allows me to get my heart to beat, release stress and enjoy the art of relaxation.
What are the biggest rewards in the work you do?
The thank you’s from the students and teachers at Yoga in the Vines at Wolffer. I feel like I am serving my community. I enjoy seeing everyone smile after class. I enjoy seeing people gaze at the Vineyard my cousin Richie and his crew work so hard on. I’m so proud of this program and all the supporters.
What do you tell people who want to feel better in mind and body but don’t know where to start?
The hardest part is getting started. Just start. Try something new. Have fun with it. Try a guided meditation. Try a gentle or beginner yoga class and work your way up to something more challenging. Visit a local studio or travel to a studio you have never been to before. Experience a live class in person with a group and have fun! Explore new teachers.
Take me through your perfect Hamptons day!
Truth Training East Hampton with Natalia Poggi. Enjoy making breakfast for my boyfriend and I; smoothie and eggs please! Then Yoga in the Vines at Wolffer, followed by a boat ride out of waterfront marina around Sag Harbor. Enjoy some lunch at home on my porch sitting in the sunshine. A big yummy salad please! Take walk around Sag Harbor Village then have dinner at Sen sushi in Sag Harbor. Finally watch sunset at Long Beach with my wonderful boyfriend Chris and go to sleep! I’ll admit it. I love early bedtime !!!!
What do you think are the keys to living a balanced lifestyle?
A good night sleep! Turn off the lights, the computers, the phones, everything at least 1 hour before bed. Use lavender room spray from the Lavender Farm on the North Fork. Put on cozy pajamas. Read an inspirational book before bed. Say what your thankful for and enjoy a good night sleep. Wake up early and smile.
by Caroline | Dec 17, 2016 | Lifestyle
The holidays are meant to be happy remember? Give yourself the gift of holiday presence! (It’s not all about the presents, it’s about the PRESENCE.) We often get so wrapped up in the falalalala that we forget to pause, breathe, and actually enjoy the most wonderful time of year. Below are our top tops on staying present, sane, and even HAPPY throughout the holiday season.
Pick and choose.
Your calendar is FULL of holiday parties, cookie exchanges, secret Santas, cocktail parties, and pure busyness. It’s when we over-commit that December becomes a blur and we end up ringing in the New Year in need of a nap, vacation, and detox. What if we stopped saying “yes” to everything and commit to only what we’re actually looking forward to?? Not to sound like the Grinch, but truth is that we have a choice. Say yes to the things that you enjoy and skip the rest; you’ll have more fun and be less burned out!
Embrace the crazy.
Holiday shopping, in some regard, is pretty unavoidable for most of us. While it would have been ideal to start the shopping early to avoid the last-minute crunch, for most of us, that concept is long gone (better luck next year!) Instead of heading into the madness with frustration and angst before you even find a parking spot, commit to embrace the chaos, lines, music, and the crowds. Turn shopping into a family affair, girl’s night out, or excuse for a date. Remember that you always have a choice. Remind yourself what the holidays are really about and choose to be positive, you’ll find that the little things just won’t bug you as much. The hustle and bustle is out there, so we might as well embrace it!
Catch your breath.
We get so ‘wrapped up’ in the shopping, wrapping, decorating, cookie-baking, caroling…This just leaves us overwhelmed and under the weather. Schedule down time with (or without) friends and family. There’s nothing wrong with staying in for a movie or game night, partying in your pajamas, or soaking up the season solo in a warm bath. Schedule time to do nothing just like you would put aside time for an important event. When you are out and about, remind yourself often to pause, take a long, deep breath and return to the current moment instead of worrying about what’s to come and go. Click here for more mindful tips and here for OHH’s tips on staying healthy throughout the holidays.
It’s the thought that counts…right?!
The more thought we put into our gift-giving, the more we enjoy the giving more than the getting. So, instead of thinking of each gift as another check on your to-do list, take some time to put genuine thought before you buy, especially for those near and dear to your heart. Few of us need more “stuff,” so instead of clutter under the tree, spend some time doing for others to fulfill their hearts and yours this holiday season.
This post was graciously submitted to Bloom & Spark by Kiley from onehealthyamptons.com. Thanks Kiley!
by Caroline | Dec 5, 2016 | Yoga
This hip yogi holiday gift guide is perfect for anyone who loves to look super cute while showing the world her love for the yoga lifestyle. Or they can just be a gift to yourself cuz it’s just too freakin’ cute! In the spirit of transparency, the links I have provided are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission on stuff you buy through my links. However, I wouldn’t recommend anything I didn’t either use myself or completely love!
This Manduka Women’s Adorn Crop Top is so on trend because tie-dye is making a huuuuge comeback! Rather than the rainbow tie-dye of the 90’s, it’s back with a more refined attitude (like it went away to college, lived on it’s own for a while and got some life experience). PLUS everyone’s wearing crop tops at the moment. This one comes in some pretty cute colors too. I’ll take all of them!
Ok, so I’m a little bit crushing on Manuka right now but these Leggings are too stinking cute! You can’t really see it from the front in this picture but if you click in the link you can see it from the back and they look like ballet slippers how they wrap around and tie in the back with a cute bow. I personally love them in black because it has this whole black swan ballerina thing going on.
I get comments all the time on my namastay in bed shirt. It says “I’m a serious yogi, but I can laugh at myself too.”
Yoga Clothing For You Ladies Hamsa Tanktop. I’ve been seeing this type of flowy high neck tank everywhere lately. They are so comfy, and great for showing off your toned chatarunga shoulders!
YES! We have arrived at my favorite thing ever! Loud and crazy Printed Yoga Leggings!!! Seriously, the more ridiculous my leggings are the better. These ones are great because they come in a ton of different colors and patterns to suit everybody’s taste in off the wall yoga apparel.
And for those yogis who are not into tight leggings, there is an amazing and trendy alternative. Harem pants are getting really big, but honestly for some reason they just don’t suit me, so I found these which are a nice alternative because they aren’t as much of a tent that could sleep a family of four. These Tori Wear Elephant Pants look more like pajama pants but since they have the elastic at the ankles you can practice yoga in them and they won’t go anywhere.
What I love about this bracelet is that you can choose from dozens of affirmations and mantras to suit your style. I find that these really look great when you get a bunch stacked. Now your wrist can look like the motivational speaker it always dreamed of being!
I love anything by Dogeared which is a small company, handcrafting everything locally, and focusing on using business as a source for good in the world. This is just one of many beautiful necklaces, each with a distinct charm and message.
Every hip yogi needs a Mala Necklace. Even though they are mostly just worn for aesthetic purposes, mala beads are actually prayer beads. They contain 108 beads and each bead is used to mark the chanting of your mantra during prayer or meditation. I’ve come across many mala beads, and honestly Amazon really does have the most affordable ones with the widest selection. I love this one with the blue/green earth tones.
Because you can’t have enough teeshirts with inspirational sayings on them right yogis?!
Holiday Gift Guide for the Hip Yogi
by Caroline | Feb 7, 2016 | Recipes
Here is an easy and delicious dinner with a few simple ingredients that will be perfect for cold winter nights. It’s an updated (and much easier) take on cabbage rolls that I improvised. I only came up with it because I had cabbage and needed to use it up, and I had all of the basic ingredients, but it turned out to be really good! Overall it should take no more than 30 minutes to prepare.It could also be a great alternative to chilli or soup if you’re in the mood for something warm and nourishing but want something that’s a little different. I call it stuffed cabbage stew
Ingredients:
1 lb grass fed ground beef or bison meat
1-2 cups chopped green cabbage (depending on how much you like)
1 small yellow onion chopped
1-2 garlic cloves minced
1 can of diced tomatoes
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
1-2 cups cooked rice (optional)
Directions:
- Chop and sautee cabbage in some oil for 5-10 minutes on medium heat to soften it up.
- Then add in the onions, garlic and meat for another 5-10 minutes until the onions are soft and the meat is cooked.
- Once the meat is cooked add the can of diced tomatoes and stir.
- Spinkle some cinnamon and nutmeg on top and let the mixture simmer for another few minutes then serve either by itself if you want to make it paleo or over rice if that’s your jam.
I hope you enjoy this warm and comforting meal!
xo,
