Behold the time change! And welcome to fall, early nights, the approaching holiday season and cooler temperatures! For the past month I’ve been listening to people complain that it’s too hot here and lo and behold we finally get some autumn-feeling weather and everyone’s complaining it’s freezing! I actually heard one of students say this morning that it felt like it was sub-zero degrees outside… what an overstatement! That didn’t deter students from coming to class the past few days though; my Sunrise Yoga classes have been packed now that’s it easier to get up. Since I’m an early bird I am so appreciative of the light although I guess my dogs didn’t get the memo… they’ve had me up at four in the morning begging for food!! Unlike myself they get to wake up, eat, and go back to bed. That’s the life!
These two have THE roughest life!
The time change is the best time to try to get up a little earlier and get things done! Whether it be working out, doing yoga, finishing homework or laundry or just having a little extra “me” time, that early morning light makes it easier… Rise to Shine! Every time the season or time changes, I also like to revisit my vision board to see how I’m progressing toward the goals I set for myself back in January while setting new goals for the upcoming year. You should try it too!
Here on the Central Coast we’re in full wine harvest mode. The harvesting of wine grapes is one of the most crucial steps in the process of winemaking and it’s celebrated throughout the county at all the local wineries. I know what I’ll be doing this weekend.. wine tasting and grape stomping, in that order. I’m also planning on picking pomegranates at my friend Lori’s house which has become an annual tradition. I’m so glad she’s willing to dump some of her fruit on me… pomegranates can be as pricey as four bucks a pop at some stores. Unbelievable! They’re actually one of my favorite snacks and I like to use them in salads, sauces, as a garnish and even as a harvest display on my Thanksgiving table. The two recipes I’m sharing with you today are perfect for the upcoming holidays and are both fresh, green and clean so enjoy… without any guilt!
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Pomegranate Guacamole- makes one bowl (double the recipe for party size)
Ingredients:
-3 ripe avocados, mashed
-1/2 red onion, diced
-1 bunch cilantro, (from my garden!) chopped finely
-1 Serrano pepper, de-seeded and chopped finely
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-seeds from 1 large pomegranate
-juices from 2 limes
-1 tsp salt
-pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Cut the avocados in half, scoop out the flesh and mash well in a large bowl.
2. Chop up the onion, cilantro, garlic and Serrano pepper and add to the bowl.
3. Cut the pomegranate in quarters and using your fingers, bend each section and remove the seeds from the pith. Wear an apron to avoid red splatter on your clothing!
4. Add the pomegranate seeds and mix well.
5. Add the lime juice last and serve chilled. Healthy and colorful! Enjoy!
Add a few seeds on top as a nice garnish!
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Persimmon and Pomegranate Salad- serves one or two
Ingredients:
-1 pomegranate, seeds of
-1 persimmon, sliced finely
-4 cups greens (I used a variety of kale, arugula and spinach)
-goat cheese, crumbled
-handful of nuts (I used pumpkin and sunflower seeds and almonds)
-salt and pepper
Directions:
1. Slice the pomegranate in quarters and pull the seeds out with your hands or with a spoon.
2. Next, slice the persimmon finely, removing the leaf.
3. Add the lettuce, cheese, nuts and fruit into a large bowl and toss.
4. Add extra pomegranate seeds on top and maybe another quarter and enjoy with this Citrus dressing below!
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For this Citrus Dressing, all you’ll need is 1 T olive oil, 2 T each of rice and apple cider vinegar, the juice of one lemon and a dash of salt, sugar and pepper. Mix well!
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Before I leave you, let’s chat books! If you like rock memoirs, you’ll love Carrie Brownstein’s Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl about her time with the band Sleater-Kinney. I was introduced to them in 1998 when I first entered college and I’ve seen them a plethora of times since then. I love her audio book because she’s not a drug user or someone who hooks up with every good looking chick on tour, like your typical rockstar does. Instead, her book focuses on the relationship between the three band members, the start of the riot girl bands and her OCD!
If you do like rock memoirs about sex and drugs then Chrissie Hynde’s Reckless: My Life as a Pretender is probably right up your alley. Hyde, lead singer of the band The Pretenders, was one crazy chick. She was obsessed with Iggy Pop, trying any new drugs that came her way and keeping everything under wraps so her parents wouldn’t find out. Her story is sad for many of her friends either killed themselves or overdosed but it’s interesting one none the less!
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I’m finally taking sone time off and heading to Big Sur (only my favorite place on this here Earth) next week with my little family. Andy and I just purchased a new tent and we are excited to use it! I’ve got plenty of good books, new hikes to embark on, two furry friends to keep me warm at night and a husband in tow that knows how to cook so well it feels like we’re glamping! Home is where you pitch it!
Just in case you missed it…. for Halloween I was Linda Richman from Coffee Talk, a Saturday Night Live skit! I love to laugh at myself! Now you can too!
Coffee Talk with Linda Richman from niccola nelson on Vimeo.