HANK SAUCE!!

Brian Ruxton (aka "Hank") and I have been great friends and surf buddies since the 4th grade. Brian is an amazing chef (he has worked as a chef at Braca's Cafe in Sea Isle City for several years now) and has finally branched out on his own. Just last year he made his delicious hot sauces available for the masses: Hank Sauce (there are four varieties that are always available, with more being added into the rotation). With his two best friends and business partners, Josh and Matt, they have opened up a Florida-Mexican restaurant in SIC on 86th street (across from BUSCH'S) offering up some delicious food. It is DEFINITELY in it's early stages. The restaurant is bare bones, no decorations, and theres barely a sign outside that lets you know its open. But all that will come before summer hits, and details aside - the food speaks for itself. The benefit is that you have all of the delectable hank sauces at your disposal. The star on the menu, as far as I'm concerned, is the "Ahi tuna Roll". Sesame seared ahi with Brians amazing mango salsa, and lettuce in a burrito wrap, sliced to look like sushi. I recommend using the Cilanktro hot sauce on this one - it is finger licking good. Please show your support and head in for a bite if you can...the boys have worked so hard to make this dream come alive. 8605 Landis Ave, Sea Isle.

Garden Maintenance 101

After all the rain we had, Mom and I had a teeny bit of damage control to take care of in the garden. As with all things concerning my mother, it can't happen NOW, it needs to happen RIGHT NOW. So, despite being in my robe - making my morning cup of tea - she insisted that the work needed to be done RIGHT NOW. She put one of my dads jackets on me, and I slid into my boots, fresh juice still in hand, and out we went. First things first though - she wanted to show me her new compost 'barrel'. Woohoo, exciting stuff! Then we checked on the snap peas, some of which were uncovered and just need a little dirt to cover them. The lettuces we stored under the pool deck so thankfully they didn't get too much water. And then, the onions - which you need to be careful with too much moisture - nobody likes a rotten onion. So we put the bin up on bricks so that it could drain properly. Just another morning at the Callahan's house....

Food for Thought.

Last night after my day of departure [from my juice cleanse] Brad, Ro and I huddled up on the couch and watched two epic food documentaries: Fat Sick & Nearly Dead and Forks Over Knives.

Both were super informative and entertaining, but Forks over Knives was LIFE-CHANGING. I already adhere to a healthy diet...the meat we eat has been killed by my parents, the seafood we eat has been snatched from the sea by our own hands, and the produce we eat is a product of our backyard garden. We abstain from most dairy, and when we do indulge it is from free range, organic, Grass-Fed cows. My biggest weakness: french fries....which I'm trying to get under control. After seeing both of these documentaries I am re-inspired to get back on track with my juice cleanse for just a few more days. I'm not planning to juice forever-- but I definitely plan to make sure that ONE fresh juice makes it into my day EVERY day. I don't like people who preach - so I don't plan on preaching it here and now...all I can say is please, please, please do your body, you friends and family, and yourself a huge favor and watch Forks over Knives. We all deserve to be the healthiest and most vibrant beings possible - if not for yourself, at least for your loved ones.

Oh...and for those of you out there with all of the excuses:

"I don't have time to prepare good food":

Eating a plant-based and whole foods diet can add an extra 5-10 years on your life, so in gratitude to all that extra time you can take a little time out of your day to eat healthy.

"Buying organic, whole foods, and vegetables costs too much money" :

Not only will you be saving money by not having to visit the doctor, saving yourself from operations, medications, and rehabilitations: but you only have ONE body. ONE. That's it. Why do you spend $200 on a dress to put on the outside when you aren't taking care of what's inside?

The cost of having a heart-attack: $56,000.

The cost of juicing for one day: $18.

The cost of juicing organic for one day: $28.

Back on Track!!! Woke up at 7am and sliced up a batch of juice for me and for my Dad.

I'm Clean.

I woke up this morning feeling clean as a whistle. Not really, but that's how I'd like to spin my story...hahaha. Anywho, woke up and went through my morning cleanse routine. Taught my 9:15am vinyasa class in Avalon and then headed to my cleanse-partner-in-crimes house for some juice. Ro made us Kale and Apple juice, followed by a spicy vegetable juice that was kickass. But it wasn't what I wanted. I was feeling a bit sad this morning, and with the rain and all, I just wanted to have a good cry and eat some French fries. So- that's what we did. I cried for a bit, curled into ro's arms and then I blew my nose and we headed to the circle tavern for some delicious French fries. Goddamn did they hit the spot. Powernap on the couch for a short bit and then Rochelle's husband brad said that he wanted to try out the new pizza place in Northfield, Carluccio's. It was DELICIOUS and rivaled my beloved Seattle pizza hot spot, Serious Pie. We had the Grandma's thin crust pie and it was so so so very yummy. Right now I feel fat and sluggish and tired- which is okay, because that's where I'm at today. But tomorrow I'm back to no caffeine, and a healthy diet of juice :)

Support the Locals

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to two local business that deserve your business. Fresh For Less Produce on Sea Isle Blvd (right by the Wawa in Ocean View) has been mentioned in my blog before. Not only do they have a great selection and great prices, but they are wonderful people. I go in at least once a week, but really stocked up the other day for my juice cleanse. When I was leaving, Alison gave me a beautiful boutique of flowers for my mom. I know that they are having a tough time right now making ends meet and business has been a bit slow, so this meant a lot to us. They've also sent over boxes of pomegranates this winter because my mom loved to juice them for my dad (they are chock full of antioxidants). And- they sell HANK sauce...a delicious hot sauce, hand crafted in Sea Isle City by my good friend and local surfer, Brian Ruxton. They use only the best ingredients and it's made with love...you can taste it!

The next business I want to promote is Rodney and Sons auto repair on rt.83. My truck has been giving me some problems lately, so I took it in for them to look at. They had it for two days- running every test and driving it all over- trying to find out the mysterious quirk. When I went to pick it up, I had no bill. Also, after dropping my moms truck off (it's been that kind of week), Rodney told us that if we needed anything-- anything at all, to give a shout and he'd be happy to help.

It's the love and support of the local community that helps us get through the days, and it's important for us all to lift each other up and support one another. So next time you need some
Veggies or hot sauce- head to Fresh for Less. And if car troubles are the problem, Rodney and Sons is the place to go.

Katniss.

Have you read THE HUNGER GAMES yet? No??? Then what the fuck are you waiting for!?! I have to admit, I was a bit delayed in picking up the books as well - it wasn't until my Dad began reading the series that I soon hopped on board. My Dad hadn't read anything for years. One of the first indications that his tumor was growing was a slight blurring of his vision and headaches. Reading a book isn't really fun under those conditions. But after I bought my mom a Kindle for Christmas this year, we discovered that with the words enlarged to the biggest font that he was able to read in small increments throughout the day. It took a while, but he read all three books. He was instantly hooked because the main character, Katniss, is a stealthy hunter - especially with a bow and arrow. The book brings up lots of fond memories for me- because, like Katniss, I too grew up cruising the woods with my Dad. I never killed anything, but I was always shooting my bow (that had custom made pink arrows with pink feathers, thanks to my Dad) and was walking through the woods with him as he stalked out a place for his deerstand. I collected the teeth from our dead pigs, collected moss from the forrest floor, and would hang outside with my Dad as he broke down the deer he'd shot. Nowadays it's less time in the woods (because I don't really want to kill deer or birds), and more time on the bay. As I've gotten older my Dad and I have spent more and more time on the back bay...clamming, crabbing, fishing, minnowing and just cruising. It's the time where my Dad feels most at home. After many years as a Captain on the open ocean, you can tell that salt water pumps through his veins. Currently his whole body is in pain, and he's a bit wobbly. But don't you know - all that he talks about is how we are gonna "kill em and eat em" this summer on the back bay - not taking any prisoners. He's already challenging me to the First, Biggest and Most bet (which I have assured him I will surely win....again). He tries to play the Brain Tumor Card, but I told him that there's no excuses and no mercy in fishing. After a (physically) rough week for him, and therefore an (emotionally) rough week for mom and I -- I'm really looking forward to tomorrows premiere of the Hunger Games. I know that once we leave the theatre that he will be amping to "get out there and kill something". I wouldn't be surprised if he's yelling KILL EM AND EAT EM at the top of his lungs while we are in the theatre....

If you haven't already picked up the books, do yourself a favor and GO GET THEM. They are a quick and easy read - but heavy in content if you're really seeing the big picture.

Here's some pictures in review of my Katniss-type upbringing....

Drink To Your Health!

Last nights yoga flow was called Spring Cleaning...a flow with lots of kundalini breath work and twists to cleanse the body of toxins. At the end of class I presented everyone with a cup of Turmeric Tea, and it was delicious! Several people asked for the recipe for this healthy drink so here it is, along with a bit of information about Ayurveda and our bodies.

"According to Ayurveda, good health is dependent upon our capacity to fully metabolize the NUTRITIONAL, EMOTIONAL, and SENSORY information that we ingest. When our digestive energies, known as "Agni" are robust, we create healthy tissues, eliminate waste products efficiently and create "Ojas". Ojas is the basis for clarity of perception, physical strength, and immunity. If our agnis are weak we have an abundance of "Ama". Ama are the toxins that our body cannot process, which will result in allergies, congestion, headaches, low energy, and chronic pain. "

Turmeric Tea Recipe:

2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (or fresh ginger, zested)

juice of 1/2 a lemon

1 tablespoon maple syrup

Bring the water, turmeric and ginger to a medium high heat and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Strain and then add lemon juice and maple syrup. Enjoy.

Turmeric Nutritional Benefits:

• known for its anti-inflammatory properties
• natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent (can be used on cuts and burns)
• natural liver detoxifier

*There are many many more benefits, but I thought I'd keep it short and sweet and list the most important :)

Spring Cleaning.

First of all, let me begin with an apology. I've had the intention to blog every day, but my iPhone isn't letting me email my photos!!!! I was hoping to get up to the Apple store yesterday or today - but the weather was just too nice, so I opted to hang outside and home and work in the garden instead. Anywho - hopefully that will be remedied later this week.

And now for the news: it's time for a Spring Cleaning. My body has been working so hard for me lately, and I've decided to reward it with a cleanse. Day 1 (today) and Day 2 will be preparation...just fruits and veggies. Then a full week of juice, before a week of vegan and then back to vegetarian (and meat from my parents kills). No caffeine, no alcohol. Lots of herbal tea, senna tea, and fresh made vegetable juices. Supplements, hot ginger water with lemon and water water water.


Spring has sprung...enjoy the sunshine everyone :)

Infinite Tomorrows.

Man sacrifices his health in order to make money. He then sacrifices his money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived. -- the Dalai Lama

No matter where you are from - your language, your religion...whatever corner of the world you reside in - we all have one thing in common. We are all dying. From the day we are born we are dying. Death is actually our ONLY guarantee in life. Marriage, children, careers, wealth....none of this is a guarantee. So why is it that we live our days as if there are infinite tomorrows? This is one good thing that has come out of my Dad being ill - it's given me an appreciation for life that I'd had before, but it has been intensified ten-fold. I try to bring awareness into everything that I do - from the mundane (eating breakfast) to the regular (yoga practice); from my awareness, presence and enthusiasm in my friendships and my work. Just last week a family friend Wes popped over the house to drop off scallops and to check in on my Dad. 42 years old - a hard worker, casual drinker, drug-free all around great guy. The other day, he died. Death is spontaneous like that...with some (like my Dad) they are given an idea that it's approaching. Others know that with their old age is their approaching end. But then - there are people like Wes. Walking and talking and loving and laughing one day, and then gone the next. Why is it then that we don't savor each day...? Just some food for thought.

After the funeral I took my Dad out to breakfast- because that's what we do best. We had a bunch of laughs, and some serious tear-shedding conversations. God bless my Dad for sharing his life and his wisdom with us all. As he says "Well, we're all dying if you think about it. But that's why you just make each day great". Wes, thank you for shining your love on everyone around you...you'll be missed.

Sent from my iPhone

Cadbury Eggs.

Cadbury Eggs. Apparently there is a "How To" way of eating them. I ate my first ever Cadbury egg last night at Rochelle's. I know I know, my first EVER? Yep. What can I say...I'm not really a chocolate kinda gal. Anyways, Rochelle gave me an egg and then became very serious and she broke down the proper way to consume it. First, peel all of the wrapping off. Then scrape the top a few times so that you can break into the center. You need to eat around the outside and simultaneously enjoy the center to keep it balanced. Enjoy with a tall glass of milk.

Here's some fun yoga shots from last nights vinyasa class and this mornings yin (we ended with supported headstands for the throat chakra).

Rotatilling Time.

Mom has been cleaning out my dads garage, organizing it (for his sake, as well as ours). She found one of his old gardening books...one that he kept record of everything he grew, it's progress, etc etc. There was even information written down about the pigs!! The records start in 1986-87....I think I've found my reading material for this week! Funny too actually because we start our crops today- running the rotatiler through the ground later and planting potatoes and onions.

Avocado Egg Bowl

I got a ton of hits on this photo yesterday when I posted it on Facebook. So, here's the recipe.

Preheat oven to 400.
Slice avo in half.
Scoop a bit of avo out to make room for egg.
Crack egg into the lil avo bowl.
Salt and pepp.
Bake, eat and enjoy.

Silent Yin.

Totally silent...from start to finish.

Henna Party.

Well, it wasn't really so much of a Henna PARTY, because there was only three of us. And it was pretty mellow. And i was so beat up from my exciting birthday weekend that I slept through half of my henna-ing. So, lets call it a Henna Social Gathering of sorts. Kristin (Ro's sister, who just returned from India) applied henna on Rochelle and myself. The henna smells a bit and it takes a while to apply, so godbless Kristin for spending nearly two hours working on us. I had a headache from the smell (or was that from all the champagne I consumed over the weekend...?), so I'm SURE that she did too. After it was applied and had dried a bit she dabbed sugar water all over it and then I went to sleep with it on. It's pretty light on my arm, but the design on my palm is a deep, rich, earthy red. So beautiful. Thanks to Kristin for the super sweet design :)

Hipstamatic

I have a bunch of random iPhone apps that I NEVER use. I have like 5 different cameras...but really I only use my phone to call, text and blog. I forgot all about my beloved HIPSTAMATIC camera!! It's awesome, and was one of the only apps that I've ever actually purchased (for a bank-breaking $1.99). Anywho, I love the randomness of it-- you never know what you're going to get. Somehow this picture of me was a result of last nights henna photos. It makes me laugh because it kinda sums up my whole personality. Random, not too serious and with that half smile/half grin. If you iphoners out there don't have hipstamatic then put it on your list ASAP.

Birthday Girl.

Hipstamic app on iPhone for all the hipsters out there....Ha. Me, enjoying my signature cocktail before heading out for dinner.

Leave it to us, all EIGHT of us, to only take 4 f*ing pictures on my amaazzzing day-after-Birthday celebration!! As if my actual birthday celebrations weren't enough, all of my beloved friends (and yoga students) planned a beautiful dinner for me on the 4th at Cafe Vola's in Atlantic City. This institution-of-a-restaurant is old school Italian. It is on an unassuming street, in a basement of an unassuming house. Yep, a basement. With only one little sign to assure you that you were indeed headed into an eatery. We ate and ate and ate, and then we ate a little bit more. We consumed gallons of red wine, giggled like crazy, and enjoyed yet another evening in one anothers company. Thank you so much to Bridget, Rochelle, Kylee, Coleen, Megan, Kaitlin, and Samantha for making "my day" a very special day.

Rochelle, sipping on a "Cailin" at Bridgets house before we head out....

Kylee and I, RED WINE.

Bridget and I, stained lips from red wine and full bellies. Life is good.

Family Dinner.