Yoga in Banff

I'm just back from an amazing trip to Golden, B.C., where I visited my sister, her boyfriend, and my brand new nephew Devon! He's so adorable, words can't even begin to describe him.

While planning my trip out west, Kaeleigh (a student/friend/receptionist at Luna) hooked me up with Mindy from Rocky Mountain Yoga in Banff, and together organized a workshop.

The Banff yoga community was so welcoming and enthusiastic, it was amazing! I never know how people are going to react to Jivamukti Yoga, especially if they're coming from a softer or quieter practice, but everyone was super receptive and eager to learn more (for most people it was their first Jivamukti experience).

I love teaching in new places, meeting new people, and sharing yoga experiences. I feel very lucky to be doing something I love, and getting to travel too! Thanks to Kaeleigh, Mindy, and everyone who came out for the workshop.
xoxoxo
Jennifer*
Pic 1: Suzanne, Chris & Devon
Pic 2: Workshop at Rocky Mountain Yoga
Pic 3: Me & Mindy
Pic 4: Yoga Master Devon (in baby cobra)

P.S. If you ever visit Golden, BC, check out Chris's restaurants "The Kicking Horse Grill" and "The Fire Pit Smokehouse"... super yummy (there's even veggie options!)

Montreal's Markets

I'm loving Jae Steele's new cookbook Ripe from around here! I've tested out some recipes and am I'm halfway through reading the first part of the book about local and sustainable eating. Although I often do find local and organic veggies at IGA, I also love to pick up fresh ingredients from the market. Here's a list of some of Montreal's hot-spots for fresh finds:

Jean Talon Market: Behind the shops on Jean Talon and Henri-Julien. One of the biggest markets in Montreal, with lots of fruit and veggies (yummy salted tomato slices to taste test), flowers/plants (more-so in spring/early summer), and some indoor stalls (look out for bhajis with tamarind chutney - delicious - and also usually have taste testers).

Atwater Market: On Atwater, near the canal. Lots of fruits and veggies, flowers/plants (one of my Mom's friends even comes from the country to buy some of her more exotic plants here), also has indoor stores, plus a Premiere Moisson.

Amherst Market: (I couldn't find the link for this one) On Amherst & Ontario. I was just there last weekend and they're in the midst of renovations (I was told they are expanding the inside) but should be fully open by the end of June. Outside, they usually have lots of fruits and veggies, and inside an assortment of organic canned and dried goods, plus cheese, olives, etc. There's also a large garden plant section in the spring/early summer (now open). Across the street, they are currently located in a small shop on Amherst, just below De Maisonneuve (I'm assuming these are the same people, and will relocate into the new renovated space when it's ready).

Marche Duluth: In 2 different locations (5039 St Dominique on Thursday evenings, and 4265 Laval on Sundays). I've never been to these markets, (Bram found them online) but their web site says everything is local, ecological and seasonal.

A couple other spots to mention are: Rachelle-Bery (there's 3 in Montreal) A healthfood store selling organic and natural products (veggies, dried goods, toiletries), and La Maison Verte in NDG, a store and cafe, with tons of eco-friendly, and local products/produce, and lots of green events.

I have a sneaking suspicion that there are many more hidden treasures... if you know of any, please share!

Happiness is Healthiness

A couple of years ago I read a review about a vegan cookbook called Get It Ripe. I told Jason about it, and soon after he gave it to me for our 12 year anniversary (I know, it's been a while!). I fell in love with it right away; it's written by a local woman (Jae Steele), it's vegan (with lots of gluten, sugar, and dairy substitutes), and most of all Jae feels like someone I can really relate to, she is passionate about her work, and she seems to be doing a lot of it herself.

The first 100 pages of the cookbook talks about everything from vitamins and nutrients, to eating locally and organically. Usually I skip the intros to cookbooks and go straight to the recipes, but I thoroughly read and enjoyed this one.

The recipes are super tasty. I've cooked with them for many friends and family members, vegetarians and meat-eaters both love them! I've never had so many requests for recipes before. I liked it so much I started selling the books at our studio, and giving them as gifts. My Mom has been using it to cook for my Dad and Grandmother (who are both very traditional, old-school foodies). At first she tried to sneak in the tofu, telling my Grandmother it was chicken, but she knew something was up. Oma's favorite meal used to be meat & potatoes, now it's portobello mushroom burgers!

Even the baked goods are amazing, and that says a lot. Vegan desserts have a reputation for being dry, crumbly, and tasteless. Jae's Cowgrrrl Cookies are my nephews favorite, and some friends called us last week to say their son, who had been sick, was smiling after eating the Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Jason had brought over.

After cooking many delicious meals from her book, I looked up Jae's contact info, and sent her an email inviting her to the studio... after some time, she accepted, and is now coming to give a workshop Happiness is Healthiness and promote her new book Ripe from Around Here next week!

Although we are friends on facebook, I've never met Jae Steele. I love to cook, I love good food, and I definitely think healthiness plays a huge role in our happiness, so I'm super excited to meet Jae, take her workshop, and get a copy of her new cookbook! Hope you can join us.

Here are some of our favorite recipes from Get It Ripe:
Sesame Miso Dressing, Perfect Peanut Sauce, Simple Dal, Coconut Cauliflower Chana, Barbecue-Baked Tofu with Mushrooms and Bell Peppers, The Good Shepherd's Pie, Double-Whammy Ginger Cookies

Happiness is Healthiness
Thursday June 3, 7:30-9:30pm @ Centre Luna Yoga
$45 (includes a copy of Jae's new cookbook Ripe from around Here)
info & registration

Honoring our Mothers

A Mothers love and kindness does not always get the full appreciation it deserves. It may come as a surprise to some of you, but I was not always the most grateful, loving daughter... my parents had to suffer through my dark and gloomy teenage years. But as I grew older and wiser, I once again saw the light.

My Mom is one of the kindest, most generous, loving and optimistic people I know. I am so lucky and blessed to have her as a Mother.

Mother's Day is a day to honor all the Mothers in our lives; our birth Mothers, spiritual Mothers, and of course the Mother of all, Mother Earth.

To celebrate Mother's Day, we'll be bringing lunch out to my parents house (Beautiful Borscht Soup & Apple Crumble from my favorite cookbook Get It Ripe) and then tea and cookies with Jason's family (Cowgrrrl Cookies, my nephews favorite). I spent the afternoon baking and cooking, so everything is made and ready to go, now the true test is for us not to eat it (3 cookies have already gone missing)!

Sending love and admiration to all the amazing Mothers out there!
xo
P.S. The photo was taken on our first Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica (my Mom was the first person to sign up)

Easy Tips to Go Green

Happy Earth Day!
Earth Day for me is a reminder to appreciate Mother Earth, not only today, but everyday, and to remember that every little thing we do has an impact on the earth. Here are a few tips to help make your daily life a little greener...

- put up a 'pas de circulaires' or 'no flyers please' note by your mailbox (it'll change your life!). You don't need to buy an official sticker, we made one ourselves and it does the trick.
- sign up for online billing; you can usually do this through your bank, or check on the back of your bill (sometimes it even saves you money)
- pick up a stainless steel water bottle and/or travel mug; millions of water bottles end up in landfills everyday.
- bike to work; if you don't have your own bike, check out bixi bikes in Montreal
- make your own lunch... or if you pick up food, ask them to wrap it in wax paper instead of using styrofoam, or better yet, bring your own tupperware.
- eat less meat; factory farms are responsible for more than 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
- compost your food scraps; if you live in Montreal you can get an outdoor composter at you local Eco Quartier or make your own worm composter
- recycle; I know this is an obvious one, but there are still some people who don't do it...
- buy a reusable canvas bag; carry one with you so that you're ready for the spontaneous grocery shop (they even make bags that fold up into teeny tiny squares, so that it won't take up too much room in your bag).

If you have any other suggestions or tips, please add them into the comments section, I'd love to hear them!

Veggie Eats in Montreal

Before going on a recent trip to NYC, I googled vegetarian restaurants in the area. I came across one of Moby's blog postings listing some of his favorites, and found it super helpful. I thought I'd do the same for Montreal...

Starting with my favorite Aux Vivres (amazing vegan food), Yuan (asian fusion), Pushap (yummy Indian), Bonnys (in Griffintown), Green Panther (Mile End) Chu Chai (for a nice dinner) or Chuch (for lunch), Divan Orange (venue/restaurant), Casa del Popolo (hearty sandwiches), Burritoville (Mexican), Juicy Lotus (in NDG), La Faim du Monde, Le Commensal (buffet/cafeteria style).

Some veggie friendly faves: Olive et Gourmando (awesome Viva Las Vegan sandwich), Veritas (yummy hummus & eggplant sandwich), Santropol (sandwiches, salads, pies), Chez Jose (vege paté), Clark Street Bakery (spicy aubergine sandwich), Shaika Cafe (chick pea wrap, in NDG).

Bon appetit!
P.S. Please feel free to add your favorites to the list...

Luna Retreat Video

We had an amazing time in Mexico! Here's a quick glimpse...