Paradise

 Paradise & Island Coconuts.

 P.s. Grapefruits are actually green and they taste 10x better that way. xoxo

The Best Day

Saturday I married the man of my dreams. It was perfect. Thanks to everyone for celebrating with us and for all of the well wishes!

Until later...

 my mom, my great aunt, and myself changing into an Indian Sari. 

 my favorite cookies :) 

 mini pavlova

candy! 

Superfood Oatmeal

I love oatmeal for breakfast and sometimes dinner. It is a great breakfast option because it will fill you up in a healthy way, lower your cholesterol (due to the high level of fiber), and you can get away with a little sweetness (the fiber causes a slower absorption of sugar).  No time in the morning? Portion it out in cups or bowls for a faster morning option like I did for my mom here:

Picture of Apple Pie Oatmeal (without brûlée)

Lately, I've been trying to add as many 'superfoods' to my meals as possible and this has been my favorite combo. I've had it maybe 5 days in a row after my GGS and workout. I combined: chia seeds, cacao, bee pollen, unsweetened dried coconut, and banana mash. So much energy, protein, slow burning carbs, and yummy-ness in one bowl. Here's how i make it:

1. mash a banana in a bowl.

2. add a small scoop of raw cacao for antioxidants and chocolatey goodness.

 3. stir together

 5. portion out your oatmeal (I use steel cut) in another bowl.

 6. pour your 'chocolate sauce' over the oatmeal but don't stir together.

 7. add 1-2 tablespoons of Chia Seeds

8. add a tablespoon of dried coconut

 9. add a teaspoon of bee pollen (energy in a spoon)

 10. enjoy.

how do you eat your oatmeal?

other oatmeal recipes:

• Ready To Go, Steel Cut Oats
• Raw Rolled Oats for Beautiful Skin
• Banana Oatmeal Smoothie
• Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

Maggie Sottero Bride

It's been a while to say the least. Wedding planning is no joke... and I have wedding planners (they're great). Anyway, things are crazy. Yesterday was the first day i've made dinner in three weeks. We had Black Bean Chili, brown rice, kale salad, and guacamole. I got the idea for the chili from the Malibu Chili Cook Off we went to this summer. One of the vendors had an amazing chili with curry powder! It was delicious and such a great idea. Try it if you have the chance. 

I had the privilege of working in Utah for Maggie Sottero for the third time. It's always a good time being home, seeing my family, and working-all at once! Here are some pics from my week at home with Maggie Sottero Bridal. They made me feel more beautiful than I thought was possible; Beautiful dresses, amazing hair and make up, great people, and perfect accessories. 

 This was day 6... we were really tired. Steven was really glad I was taking a pic. 

 A still from Tribe Media

They surprised me with a beautiful present, balloons, crown and veil, and massive diamond rock-that was fake! Thanks Maggie. 

I'll leave you with my current favorite picture. xoxoxo

Bridal Shower #2

I seriously love bridal showers. For me it's about seeing every single person that has been a part of yours/your family's life at one point in time or another. My mother, with the help of my Great Aunt and all of her friends in Utah threw the most beautiful Indian Bridal shower... ever. I wish i had more pictures but it was magnificent! 

My aunt (with help) catered all of the Indian Vegetarian food plus Chicken Tikka! I was so touched by the most thoughtful gifts, advice, and cards from my friends and Alpine family. If you don't know anything about Utah you have to know that the community there is one in a million. To those that came: Thank you so much for coming! You made me feel so incredibly special and loved. It was such a blessing. P.s. Big thanks to my amazing friends, cousin, Aunt, and soon-to-be MOL, that flew into Utah just for the shower! Here are some pics from the shower and a peak at my bachelorette party. 

my dad got me pink roses. very appropriate. 

 My little sister tried to sneak out the door on her way to her first High School party. If anyone knows my little sister, she's the funniest and also the shyest person I know.  I had to capture that moment on camera. 

My pretty sisters and mom

my mama is the prettiest

Cherie Kelly: you are a gem for packaging these and Kunju Patel (Massi) You're a gem for making so many!

 Diane was SUPER pleased with me in this moment!

Balsamic Glazed Salmon

I hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend! It was super hot in California... it's like summer started just as it's supposed to end. I went to Laguna with friends and walked along the beautiful beach.

Sunday marked the beginning of 'No Sugar' once again. I feared that I would go through the 'withdrawal' stage again but it never happened. It seems that my cravings were just a matter of habit. Anyway, it's been a breezy couple of days. I hope it lasts.

I'm in the kitchen today... cooking as many things as possible. I like to get ahead of things and have things all ready to go so I don't have to dirty the kitchen so many times during the week. So far I've made this delicious Balsamic Glazed Salmon with Edamame and Green Beans, Quinoa, and Butternut Squash Bisque.

I'll leave you with this quick Balsamic Glaze for salmon. It's a recipe from Giada and for a quick change up on salmon, it's a winner.

Remember, cook salmon for 8 minutes per inch of thickness. If your salmon is less than an inch... lower the time accordingly. I roast my salmon at 450 degrees because i really enjoy a bit of a crust on the outside. My mother bakes hers at 350 but I think she likes it softer (also takes longer to cook). Either way will lead to delicious salmon in this case.

After you have salt and peppered your salmon filet's (6, 4 oz. filets), place them in the oven at 450. Cook 8 minutes per inch or check the salmon by pressing with your finger, when it resembles how the tip of your nose feels when pressed, it's done. Remove from the oven and brush with the following glaze.

Balsamic Glaze

3/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1 clove of Garlic, finely minced.

Bring ingredients to a boil and reduce to low. Allow the glaze to simmer until thick. Brush or spoon over cooked salmon.

Glowing Green Smoothie by Kimberly Snyder

I've been drinking this smoothie every day, for breakfast and/or a snack the last 2 months. It's from one of my favorite Nutritionists 'Kimberly Snyder'. It's called the 'Glowing Green Smoothie' and it claims to do the very thing that it's named after, Glow. It's jam PACKED with veggies and fruit. Every time I make it in the presence of guests they are in awe that one blender can fit that many veggies.

Drink 16-32 oz every morning for breakfast, if you are still hungry after the smoothie have half of an avocado or piece of fruit. You'll enjoy the energy boost!

Without any further ado... the Glowing Green Smoothie. I seriously suggest you try it. If I can get my 'S.O' to drink it it must seriously be good. You can also use the same ratios for 'Glowing Green Juice' minus the Banana. Cheers to fat burning, weight loss, vitamins and minerals, and glowing from the inside out.

Glowing Green Smoothie

Kimberly Snyder
printable recipe

12-16 oz Filtered Water
1 head of Romaine Lettuce
1 cup Spinach
3 Celery Sticks
1/2 cucumber (optional)
1 Green Apple (cored)
1 pear (ripe)
1 banana (riper the better)
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
(Optional: add head of parsley or cilantro)

Prepare all the veggies by washing and chopping them before placing them into the blender in the order they are written. This is very important as the veggies take longer to break down the fruit. I like to add the romaine and spinach and blend a bit before adding the remaining veggies and blending a bit again. You can generally add the fruit all at once. 

If you don't have enough room in your blender do not push it... pour some into a container and blend that before adding the rest of it. You'll have a mess otherwise. 

If you have a Blendtec press the 'whole juice' or 'soup' button. 
If you have a Vitamix, select 'Variable, speed 1'. Turn on and quickly increase speed to 10. Blend for 1 1/2 minutes until very smooth. Serve cold, enjoy.

Makes 2-4 servings, lasts 2-3 days in the fridge

Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seeds are one of my favorite 'super-foods'. By adding them to oatmeal, water, smoothies, stir fries, or eating them raw, I can eat  4-5 tablespoons a day. Chia Seeds are little, black, grey, and white seeds that absorb 12 times their weight in water. They are good for weight loss, feeling full, hydration, and controlling blood sugar.

This is my favorite way to eat chia seeds. The Chia seed forms a gel when mixed with water and when left alone forms a 'pudding' like consistency that makes for a dessert you feel good about. I will have this for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Basic Chia Seed Pudding

3 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds
1 Cup of Homemade Almond Milk
Stevia, Honey, or Maple Syrup (I don't recommend Agave)

Combine all ingredients into a bowl and whisk. Let the mixture sit for 1 minute and then whisk again. At this point you can add any ingredients you would like for flavoring. Some can include:

• Nuts
• 1/4 tsp of Vanilla Extract (Vanilla Pudding)
• Coconut
• Bananas
• Craisins, Raisins, Dried Fruit
• Bee Pollen. 
• cacao/cocoa powder

Whisk again and pour into a mug or jar and refrigerate for an hour/overnight.

Bridal Shower #1

Let me just say, Bridal Showers are the greatest. I have yet to have a wedding but if the shower is that much fun I can't wait. I didn't have many expectations since I haven't been to that many  but brides-to-be, get excited. 

I came home from Canada to a package left from 'the girls' as a hint for the following day's shower. I definitely had my ideas. This is the cutest rolling pin I have ever seen and you can get your own at Anthropologie.

Clearly, we cooked!

 Among many things, we made Gluten Free Spring Rolls-delicious. However, those delicious Rice Wrappers contain around 150 calories each. That's not a lot but I originally thought they had ... idk... zero? ten? fifty? boo.

 Chocolate covered strawberries infused with Grand Marnier

 Sara would look so good cooking on tv. 

I have never felt so much excitement and love.  I am so grateful for my amazing friends that put together an extremely thoughtful shower. Their hard work made three 'brides-to-be' very happy.

xoxo