surprising my muscles

I am switching up my workout, which is really important to do; routine = see no results. So, I tried a bootcamp this morning at Golds.  My fav yoga instructor taught the bootcamp and it was an awesome change of pace.

The first 30 minutes were circuit type excercises (push-ups, abs, lunges, jacks, etc.), followed by 30 minutes of cycling.  I loved it, especially the spinning part!  ...which may not sound surprising, but I haven't done a cycle class in 2 years because I thought I didn't like it, but this one kicked my butt; I was gasping for breath.  I think the combo of circuit and cycle was awesome and I am going back again as soon as I can.

healthy food in Dallas recap

I often (internally) gripe about how few healthy restaurants there are in Dallas compared to how huge the city is, but this weekend I had a few really great food experiences:

Starting on Thursday evening, I went to a bootcamp at the Preston Center Gold's, which rocked, mostly because of the suicides (sprinting back and forth) that kicked my butt, followed by a fabulous Bliss dinner; Bliss is a raw vegan cafe that happens to be right across the street.

I got the Bliss burger, which is a yummy veggie burger. I also got to sample my friend's entrees: the kale coconut enchiladas and the spaghetti and "meat" balls, which were both really good too. Their desserts are probably the best though; we split the lemon ginger cake which was so good!

bliss burger (via yelp)

Then, on Friday, I made lunch featuring Central Market mozzarella cheese and Texas tomatoes on a multigrain baguette; so good! 

On Sunday, we went to the Addison farmer's market, which is new and still fairly small, but we got the best local produce I have had in a long time! A watermelon the size of a five-year old, the best tomatoes, zucchini, cantaloupe, peaches, and a baguette.

To top it off, I went to one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants called Cosmic Cafe today for lunch to celebrate my friend's birthday.  I love Buddha's delight and definitely save room for their vegan cakes!

Buddha's Delight

Mystic Pizza

vegan strawberry cake...so good

good food

Last Friday was a day of change for me; first day of school/last day of cooking camp for the summer.  Reflecting back on the summer camp, I learned a lot about working with kids and also about cooking.  I learned how to simultaneously pay attention to cooking while also entertaining/keeping a group of kids safe. One of was my favorite parts of the summer camp was that we made something new everyday; tasty things that I usually don't get to make on a regular basis, like homemade bread and souffles.

To celebrate, we went to dinner at an awesome chinese food place.  Now, I am usually not a fan of chinese food because it tends to give me a tummy ache, but I was craving it and Royal China in Dallas was fresh and so good; they even have a homemade dumpling bar!! (photos via yelp):

pretty steamed dumpling sampler (shrimp, veggie, chicken, pork); shrimp was my favorite

scallion pancake

I also got wonton soup which was really good too.  I will definitely be going back!

an insightful valedictorian speech:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/pr/valedictorian-against-schooling.html

I was not this insightful at 18.

"why sometimes,

     I've believed as many as 6 impossible things before breakfast."

      -Alice in Wonderland

Me llamo Leah

...or (practically) the only thing I know how to say in Spanish.  I went to dinner at my friend's house last night where I was the only one who spoke English as a first language.  I had a fabulous time, but I would be way cooler if I was bilingual.

chemistry and yoga

I would first like to announce that I have gotten my act together and I am officially taking Chem 1 this semester, which starts on Friday!  I am nervous because I haven't taken chemistry since I was 17, but I am excited to be embarking on a new challenge.

Also, I am not sure that I have mentioned my love for yoga before, but I love yoga. 

My love for yoga happened about 2 years ago, when I took a few Bikram yoga classes in San Antonio.  Then, when I moved to Dallas, I was ecstatic to find awesome yoga classes at my Gold's Gym.  I used to think I didn't like yoga, due to a boring Hatha yoga class in college, but I love yoga that makes me sweaty and content.

I got a 10 day pass on Thursday to Twist Power Yoga in Dallas and it rocks.  I went to a restorative yoga class yesterday after teaching Bodystep and it felt so good. Try it out if you live close by or find a yoga class near you; there are so many great classes now.

so hot right now

Literally.  106 degrees yesterday.  But, I am actually talking about Duxbury Oysters:

currently reading...

I found this at a used bookstore on Newbury Street and I had to get it; I loved Ommnivore's Dilemna.  So far, I am finding the subjects to be captivating and I am learning a lot.  I highly recommend it!

goodbye Boston, hello Fort Lauderdale!

Bye for now Boston, see you next summer!

hi Southbeach!

I was only in Boston for two nights, and I then continued on to Fort Lauderdale to visit my dad.  I spent the rest of the week in paradise, eating mangos from his tree and just enjoying some family time.

mango tree

he loves me, really!

I am already back to reality, but I am still savoring my perfect week.

Boston in the summer

Exactly a week ago I was in Boston to look at BU's Masters in Gastronomy program. I had a perfect trip; I am from Massachusetts, but I hadn't been back in four years and I feel more like myself than I have in a long time.

view from my hotel room

farmer's market in the city

view from Brookline to BU

I have decided that I am not going to attend the program, at least not right now, because I want to focus on becoming a nutritionist. I have been hesitant about this for so long because of the science prereqs I have to take, but I am going for it and I feel good!! I am planning on taking chem 1 at UT Dallas this fall, I just have to work out the final details.