Girls just want to have fun.

-♥ J :)

**And a must read article about how to talk to girls HERE.

Happy Healthy Belly at Lululemon Part 2

I love yoga.  I love food.  When Nina suggested an event at Lululemon that had yoga AND food, I was there like flax on seed.  Nina wanted the Lululemon yogis to have wholesome, real food snacks that wouldn't undo all the good that the morning yoga class had done for their bodies.  Here's what I made:

This smoothie recipe is a staple of mine.  I have pretty much made it for everyone who has ever come to my house...ever.  It's light, refreshing, cheap and easy.  (I, also, do a pineapple mint version of this smoothie...but with vodka mixed in...and topped off with champagne.  But that is a post for another day, Veggies...)


Pineapple Berry Lemonade Smoothie

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup frozen organic berries

-1/2 cup frozen organic pineapple

-1 and 1/4 cup water

-Juice of one whole lemon

-Half a packet of Nu Naturals Stevia*

1. Put all the ingredients into blender.

2. Blend and enjoy!!!

*Agave or (a touch of) maple syrup can be substituted for Stevia.

This was my first time making these protein bars.  The recipe I used is from Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Cookbook.  The bars tasted great, but they were a little crumblier than I would have liked.  Next time I would add more almond butter or use less oats to see if I could get them to keep their bar shape better.  I was also thinking that if I added more oats to the recipe it would make a great no-bake granola.  Either way the flavor was delicious!  Experiment with the recipe yourself and let me know if you have any tips!

No-Bake Nut Butter Energy Bars
Makes 16 servings
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup agave nectar
-2 tbsp coconut butter
-1 1/2 cup nut butter
-3 cups oatmeal
-2 scoops vanilla protein powder
-1/2 cup raisins, dried cranberries or coarsely chopped dried apple
-1/2 cup slivered almonds
-1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1. Warm agave, coconut butter and nut butter in a saucepan until ingredients are soft enough to combine easily when mixed.  Remove from heat.
2. Add oatmeal and protein powder and mix well.  Then, add dried fruits, almonds and seeds.  Mix well.
3. Spread into 9-inch square pan. Let cool in the fridge and cut into squares. 

Once again, a big thanks to Nina and Lululemon for hosting such a fun event!!!  I had the best time!!

-♥ J :)

*To read more about Lululemon and their very cool philosophy click HERE.
**To get your butt kicked in Nina's spin class click HERE.

Just Desserts

I know that I promised you Part 2 of our Lululemon party, but I'm going to save that for tomorrow because I want to share some very exciting news….

                                 
My cousin Megan is a contestant on Top Chef Just Desserts Season 2!!!!

GAAAAHHHH!!!
I am so giddy with excitement I can hardly stand myself!!!

Tune in to the Season Premiere tonight on Bravo at 10/ 9c and help me cheer Megan on to a sugary sweet victory!!!

Yay, Megan!!!

-♥ J :)




P.S. You can read more about Megan HERE. Become a fan of her and her fabulous work HERE.
P.P.S. How fierce are those heels that Megan is wearing in that picture above?!?!
P. P. P. S. More Lululemon fun tomorrow...promise.

Happy Healthy Belly at Lululemon Part 1

I am in love with Lululemon.  Not only is their sportswear as chic as it is functional, but they are a company that strongly believes in "creating components for people to live longer, healthier, more fun lives."  As part of their manifesto to "elevate the world from mediocrity to greatness," they routinely offer free fitness events to the surrounding community.  From Run Club to FREE yoga, Lululemon has tons of fun events to help people find their way to wellness.  This past Sunday Nina invited me to the Beverly Hills branch to serve up some healthy snacks and talk about all things "protein bar" after the store's FREE(!) yoga class.  Here are some of the highlights...

The beautiful store.  Clothing racks are cleared out for Fay's 9:30am yoga class.

Snacks are ready to go.  Just need some hungry yogis…

Hungry yogis!!!

We drank smoothies...

Ate homemade protein bars...

Raffled off this book...

Congrats, Dorit!!!

Fay (left), Nina (center) and I about to have some more smoothie.

It was such a fun Sunday at Lululemon!!  Thank you Nina for setting up the event!!  

Can't wait to do it again!!  

You can drool over Lululemon's ridiculously cute workout gear HERE.  

Coming up tomorrow: Part 2 of the Lululemon fun...the recipes.

-♥ J :)

*For more pictures and event info be sure to like the Happy Healthy Belly Facebook page or follow me on twitter @hhbelly.

**Very special thanks to Charli, Julia and John who selflessly got up REALLY early on a Sunday to help me cut bars, haul blenders and pass out napkins.  You guys are the best!!! xoxo :) 

Dreaming of Lentils

Tuesday night I saw Amelia eating the most scrumptious looking lentils and have been craving them ever since.  I usually buy the pre-cooked black lentils from Trader Joe's, but Amelia's delightful looking French green lentils have inspired me to branch out.  She says that cooking them from scratch is super easy.  They don't even need to be soaked over night.  Just rinse the lentils and cook away.  This yummy recipe seems like it would make a perfect side dish for a chic** dinner party, as well as a fantastic lunch for a lazy day at the beach...

This is what the human body can do...

"Think of the magic of that foot, comparatively small, upon which your whole weight rests. It's a miracle, and the dance is a celebration of that miracle. "

- Martha Graham  

-♥ J :)

**FYI....When you click on the video above a "Watch on YouTube" prompt may appear.  Click on that link and the video will play.

Yoga for sale!!! Get it while it's hot!!!

I LOVE hot yoga.  That's right I said it.  After that whole I think I might die right now feeling passed, I fell head over sweat soaked heels in love with hot yoga.  However, the studio I've been going to is a bit of a trek from my house.  That is why I am beyond thrilled that Moksha Yoga LA is opening a branch right in the heart of hollywood.  I've been stalking the studio's progress on their Facebook page for months and am happy to report they will be open for business this September.  They are having a huge pre-opening sale with up to 30% off on selected packages.  I already bought mine and can not wait to get started!  Summer may be winding down but September is looking hot, hot, hot!!!

-♥ J :)

P.S.  And speaking of Facebook pages…Have you liked the Happy Heathy Belly Facebook page yet???  NO?!  Well, whatcha waitin' for?!?  You can do that right HERE.