“Food has replaced sex in my life. Now I can’t even get into my own pants.” -Anonymous
I had the pleasure of meeting Alexandra and Andrea at my Yoga for Foodies event in Phoenix. (They have a third partner, Anthony Anderson who is also known as The Raw Model) These are the kind of folks I’d have imagined meeting in the fields of Northern California…certainly not the conservative environment that is Arizona. These women live from the heart and their Blackbird Naturals handmade raw, vegan, cacao truffles are a virtual symphony of freshness, beauty, and love. Seriously, every bite sings to you…like a Grateful Dead show in your mouth.
You can’t even imagine the amount of flavor that comes from six ingredients: dates, cacao, coconut oil, Himalayan pink salt, shredded coconut, and cacao nibs.
To buy Blackbird Raw Vegan Truffles, click the button below which links directly to my storefront on The Open Sky Project, an online farmer’s market. Enter code 15OFFBLACKBIRD at checkout to receive 15% off your order.Enjoy!
Watch this short video from Anthony to learn more.
I never thought twice about buying a bar of Soap while running into CVS. But on a recent trip to the Cleveland suburb of Chagrin Falls, I met a dude named Sam Friedman who makes his own soap. I know what you must be thinking and the answer is no, I was not high. I just happened to be in Cleveland to teach a yoga workshop and was at a Bela Fleck concert when I met the soapmaker. He told me something really interesting while we were enjoying the concert: “Most products you think of as soap are actually detergents. Detergent is great when you are cleaning laundry or dishes, but NOT when you are cleaning your skin, which happens to be the largest organ in the body. And please stop asking me so many questions.”
Soap. Who woulda thunk it? Ever since, I’ve been using this guys homemade soaps. And I’ve found incredible changes in my life including increased productivity, virility, and muscle tone. Although that could be the Adderall. But really, I love this guy’s soap. Currently I’ve got a bar of Chocolate Almond Soap in my shower. And while it’s a very subtle change in the whole scheme of things, it requires no major dietary shift (ie saying goodbye to the beloved cheeseburger), it’s relatively cheap ($7.00 for a ginormous bar), and it’s made by a truly nice guy who actually cares about the world vs something filled with nasty chemicals and made in a factory by people who could care less about my health.
The ancient philosopher Seneca once said, “To wish to be well is a part of becoming well.” If you are like me and truly want to lead a healthier life but have a hard time walking away from the cheeseburger and fries after a big night out, take baby steps. Surround yourself with the little things that enhance the little moments in your day and make you feel better not just about yourself but about supporting those rare, old school folk like Sam Friedman, who still works with his hands, and leads with his heart.
Visit here to buy Chagrin Valley products from my storefront on The Open Sky Project
Organic Hemp Seeds sprinkled over salads, entrees or used to crust tofu, seitan or tempeh: “Love these and keep them as a condiment on the table.”
Umeboshi plum paste – Eden Foods. “Love to use in nori rolls, on corn on the cob, in salad dressing, or a pinch on the tongue to alkalize your system. I also love to use umeboshi vinegar.”
Eldeberry based elixirs rich in vitamin C. Tart and tangy. “This wildcrafted tonic can be combined with a variety of other antioxidents like acai and mangosteen to make powerful potions.”
“Providence has nothing good or high in store for one who does not resolutely aim at something high or good. A purpose is the eternal condition of success.” Thornton Wilder
I’ve never met someone who has won the lottery once let alone twice. On August 13 – which was a Friday the 13th of 1993 – Joy Pierson and her partner Bart Potenza won $53,000 in the NY State lottery. Joy said, “Our mission was so clear we manifested that and all the money needed to build and design a beautiful restaurant [NYC's beloved vegan spot called Candle Cafe].” And then…they won another lottery for $29,000 in 2005. We needed funding for renovation and we were again clear in our intention for making the world a more benevolent place. I think there’s a little more than coincidence at work here. Let’s just say Joy is something more than powerful. I won my own little jackpot by getting Joy to collaborate with me on the debut of Yoga for Foodies. And thanks to Joy’s positive juju, another stroke of luck came our way when the the NY Times wrote a big story on the evening.
After a flowing yoga class at Exhale on Madison Avenue, we indulged in Joy’s Butternut Squash & Wild Mushroom-Spinach Ravioli with cashew ricotta, garlic cashew cream, truffle oil, sautéed broccoli raab and crispy capers while Joy drove home her all-important message: you can eat vegan and you can eat damn well!
Ironically, the NY Times article was pitting meat-eating yogis against vegetarian yogis and while I do sometimes eat meat, I will admit that since meating Joy (no pun intended), I’ve cut back dramatically. Joy mentioned to me her defining moment in becoming vegan…when she and her partner put lobsters in a boiling pot to cook for her mom’s birthday. Joy says she could hear the lobsters start to cry. That along with having recently watched Food Inc and reading Eating Animals, and it’s clear that so many of us make a choice to be ignorant of the pain that lies at the root of so much of what we eat.
This is not the case with Candle 79 and it’s creators Joy Pierson and Bart Potenza. With Joy comes great food, and with great food, comes Joy.
never thought twice about buying a bar of Soap while running into CVS. But on a recent trip to the Cleveland suburb of Chagrin Falls, I met a dude named Sam Friedman who makes his own soap. I know what you must be thinking and the answer is no, I was not high. I just happened to be in Cleveland to teach a yoga workshop and was at a Bela Fleck concert when I met the soapmaker. He told me something really interesting while we were enjoying the concert: “Most products you think of as soap are actually detergents. Detergent is great when you are cleaning laundry or dishes, but NOT when you are cleaning your skin, which happens to be the largest organ in the body. And please stop asking me so many questions.”
