This yogi took some time away from the kitchen yesterday for some much needed R&R in Santa Barbara in the form of shopping, lunch, and more shopping! My student/friend Elizabeth (from Illinois!!!) and I headed down to SB with two stops in mind- LuLuLemon and Nordstrom- in that order. And jez, did we stock up using my discount… so much so that I got a text from Andy immediately after paying that said “$524?! Damn honey!” To which I replied, “It’s not all me! I’m with a friend!” Little bugger gets Chase alerts to his phone so he always knows when I’m getting into no good… not that it’s ever stopped me before! 

When you basically live in yoga wear, you need a lot of it. I sweat, A TON, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t smell like rose petals when I’m done with a hard Ashtanga practice, or an intense circuit workout. I have to wash everything, all the time, and if I didn’t invest money on good quality yoga wear, I’d be doing laundry everyday… which wasn’t so bad when I worked at a laundry-mat during college, but I got paid! 

Just before we left, each of us crazy girls put in a three-hour workout… our idea of R&R! Mine consisted of Ashtanga Yoga, spin class and then an intense garage workout at my student Patrick’s place. Patrick used to train the Navy Seals and the Olympic water polo team, and he’s a strong yoga practitioner who appreciates my teaching and invited me to come and see what he’s all about. 

We work out!

His garage is called “The Lion’s Den,” and it’s equipped with everything you could possibly want. Medicine balls, a TRX, a proper pull-up station, a bike, and the list goes on. My friend/student Sona has been training with him for over a year and was schooling me in the sit-up challenge (I did 85 in two minutes, she did 110) amongst other things! This was a high intensity training session, one where we carried 25 pound weights over our heads, down Patrick’s tremendously long driveway and then we had to lunge back up, weights over the head and all! Oh! And if you stop for a break or drop the weight, or say the word “can’t” EVERYONE has to drop down and give him 10 burpees. What an incentive to keep on keeping on! I was so sore after, I could’t wait for some retail “therapy”.. haha! 

Our workout. Ever heard of kipping pull-ups?!

So these little trips to Santa Barbara are needed, and often! Elizabeth and I both hit the jackpot with Wunder Under Pants, cute tops, cozy wrap sweaters and a lovely lunch outside at the Nordstrom Cafe. Ma, I know you’re jealous! I thought of you when I almost ordered the nicoise salad! Since I worked so hard yesterday, I took it easy today in my home practice. And literally, this yogi practices in the kitchen! It’s the only spot without carpet in my house and it’s so tight, I almost feel like I’m back in Chicago in the Mysore room! Almost! 

Corduroy usually rings the bell on Shavasana but today it was during Paschimottanasana A!

After my afternoon practice, I decided to spend a little more time in the kitchen… off the mat though. My student Sophia had asked me to create a black bean brownie recipe for her last week and I took on the challenge today. I have never had a black bean brownie before…never mind any baked goodie with beans in it! Because I’m always making brownies or cookies with vegetables (zucchini, squash, sweet potato) I figured this couldn’t be too hard! This recipe is super easy and quick to make and good lord there babies are good! Who knew?! These are gluten and dairy-free and if you are a vegan, omit the egg and honey and use maple syrup instead, and they’re just as good! 

Black Bean Brownies- makes a 9×9 baking dish or 12 brownies

Ingredients:

-1 can black beans, rinsed 

-2 bananas, mashed 

-1/4 cup raw honey 

-1 tsp vanilla 

-1 tsp each of cinnamon and nutmeg 

-1 tsp baking soda

-1 egg

-1/2 cup almond butter 

-1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (the dairy -free brand from Nestle) 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 and lightly spray your baking dish. 

2. Mash the bananas and add the honey, vanilla, spices, baking soda and almond butter. Mix well. 

3. Rinse the black beans and strain them and then add them to the bowl, with the egg, mixing again. 

4. Fold in the chocolate chips. 

5. Pour the mixture in your dish and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy these low calorie, high-fiber treats! 

I’m heading to teach Ashtanga- brownies in tow- at Harmony House where I had 16 lovely students in my Half Primary class on Tuesday. I promised them all brownies if they came back again today so we’ll see who shows! Oh! And before I forget, if you’re looking for a good cookbook with “yoga-ish” dishes, check out Yogi in the Kitchen by Elaine Gavalas. She has some excellent recipes in there including a three-bean chili, tabbouleh and orzo salad and some easy juices and desserts.