Cooking Class: It's Picnic Time!

Fun, Easy, Gluten Free, Vegetarian eats that will impress and

satisfy your finicky eaters.  Easy to pack up and take with you to a concert, to the beach, or enjoy alfresco

Menu 

 Figs with Goat Cheese

Raw Tarragon Asparagus Soup

Sweet Potato/Portobello Sliders

Quick Coleslaw

Fresh Berries with Raw Cacao Macaroons

This sumptuous menu features dishes that are quick, easy, delicious, and will make everyone feel good from the inside out.

Date & Time: Saturday June 7th, 12:30-2:30 PM

Location:  The beautiful Blue Heron Studio in Laguna Canyon
 $60 per person/$110 per couple
Make your reservation by Saturday May 17th and save $10!

To make your reservation, please e-mail cindy@alivingbalance.net or call 949-370-9843.  Credit cards are accepted.

Ingredients are organic and carefully hand picked.  Although you will experience some hands on, my classes are more in the format of a cooking demo.

 Notes:

• Space is limited to 12 Guests so please register early to ensure your place at the table.  Payment received reserves your spot.
• Because of the nature of the class, the fee is nonrefundable but is transferable.
• Classes are casual and always lots of fun!

Menu is subject to change depending on availability of ingredients.

Blue Heron Portal Studio, 3337 Laguna Canyon Rd. A, Laguna Beach, 92651: www.blueheronportal.com

They're Back! Gluten Free and Vegetarian Cooking Classes

 I've been on a cooking class hiatus for far too long and I am happy to announce that there will be a class next month, April 26th at 6:00 PM.  I'm very excited to be able to bring these classes back and I hope you will come join me!! 

 One of the biggest joys I receive when I teach these classes is watching people taste and experience wonderfully prepared food and realize that they can eat exceptionally well without a whole lot of effort. 

This class will tickle your taste buds. You'll meet new friends and walk away with new recipes in hand and know how easy it is to prepare delicious and healthy dishes full of flavor and nutrition. The evening combines a little bit of romance, with a measure of fun, and a dash of learning.  It's an event for couples to share, a single person to enjoy, and can be a great birthday gift.

Menu 

Savory Grapefruit Detox Drink

Chia Nut Bread w/goat Cheese

Fennel Orange Bibb Salad

Quinoa Cauliflower Patties w/Avocado Cilantro Dressing

Fresh Raspberries with Raw Cacao Nibbles

Note: Menu is subject to change depending on availability of ingredients.

Date & Time: Saturday April 26th at 6:00 PM
Location:  The Beautiful Blue Heron Studio in Laguna Canyon
Consideration: $60.00 per person/$110 per couple

To make your reservation, please e-mail cindy@alivingbalance.net or call 949-370-9843.  Credit cards are accepted.

The menu for this evening is vegetarian and gluten free. Ingredients are organic and carefully hand picked.  Although you will experience some hands on, my classes are more in the format of a cooking demo.

 Notes:

• Space is limited to 12 Guests so please register early to ensure you a place at the table.  Payment received reserves your spot.
• Because of the nature of the class, the fee is nonrefundable but is transferable.
• Although I do not supply wine as part of the class, you are more than welcome to bring your own.

Blue Heron Portal Studio, 3337 Laguna Canyon Rd. A, Laguna Beach, 92651: ww.blueheronportal.com

Pause, Breathe, Notice.....

Our half day retreat in beautiful Laguna Canyon at the Blue Heron Portal Studio felt wonderfully restorative and nurturing!  The morning started off with a restorative two hour meditative yoga session that reminded me of what I had been forgetting to bring into my own life.  I had been forgetting to bring the "pause button".  I realized that I had not been living in a 'A Living Balance' mode for the last couple of months and I was feeling it!  

 How did this happen?  I was lulled into it.  Probably like many of you, I had been running hard and fast since Thanksgiving, caught up initially, with all of the holiday visiting, family, extra cooking, all things that I love to do!!! I had mindfully cut out many things that I used to do for the holidays, so I thought I was managing things well, but I still got caught!   

After the holidays, I hit the pavement running, excited to bring new webinars, classes, and new recipes, etc to all of you!!  I've been filling up every nook and cranny of time, with very little down/quiet/meditative time. The only time when I was really stopping was when I was sleeping.  I had forgotten the importance of stopping to just be present.   I had been slowly lulled into a mindset that I know is harmful and is not sustainable,  And guess what, my body finally took over my silly head and forced me to hit the pause button by getting sick. I felt betrayed!!  I had not been sick in years and had forgotten what it even felt like.  It was a wake up call for me!!

We all need to be reminded that there are simple ways of hitting the pause button and what it actually does on a biochemical level. Meditation and restorative yoga are two very easy and wonderful ways to do this.  They both lower stress and cortisol levels which help to keep our immune systems in fighting condition and waistlines from bulging. Who doesn't want that!   And when we lower stress and cortisol levels our bodies become less acidic.  Disease, including cancer grow in acidic conditions.  

We need to hit the pause button at least once or twice every day, even if for only 5-10 minutes each time. This is as easy as stepping away from our phones and computers and stepping outside and noticing what is around us.  It's as easy as breathing deeply and noticing how our breathe fills our bodies which can slow it down and make us feel calmer.  

Maybe none of you do this but, I am guilty of checking my emails and texting when I'm stopped at red lights, returning phone calls when I'm driving, even reaching for my phone within minutes of waking up-yikes!!!  When I remember, it is actually nice to look up and notice what is around me, to be present. It's funny, but just doing that, I will often feel gratitude seeping in.  And when the gratitude comes, I can feel my whole body soften.

Pause, Breathe, Notice........