Lifestyle – Page 2

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

November 20, 2015 by The Sunny Side Up Recipes Leave a Comment

Hello friends! I hope you are all excited for Thanksgiving next week–I know I am! I’ll be heading back to California to spend time with my family and couldn’t be more excited to spend time with them and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.

As you start preparing your meal menus, I thought I would do something a bit different and pull together a roundup of some of my favorite Thanksgiving centerpieces to give you some decorating inspiration. Later this week I’ll also be sharing some of my favorite healthy sides, and my recipe for homemade apple pie. Stay tuned!

First, this metallic pumpkin table runner immediately caught my eye. I love the contrast between the burlap and the golden pumpkins and pinecones. If you have some extra time on your hands and can pick up gold paint, it really is a budget-friendly idea that still looks super luxe and will surely impress your guests.

Feeling rustic? Skip the expensive florists, this centerpiece would look great with fresh cut garden roses and even some old containers you might have around the house.

I’m not really one for drinks, but how cute is this (Apple Cider) Moscow Mule stand?

I also love these corn hull place holders and these pear ones.

….Or these simply elegant placecards with rosemary sprigs.

For those of you who love fresh flowers but don’t want to break the bank–a great feature on how to make beautiful floral arrangements of your own like a professional florist.

Finally, when your meal is over, the cutest free stickers so you can send home guests with leftovers (one of the best parts of Thanksgiving, right?) 🙂

What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions? I’d love to hear!

Stress and Immune Protection

November 17, 2015 by The Sunny Side Up Recipes Leave a Comment

Stress: we all experience it. Whether it’s the daily grind of a 9 to 5 job, finals week, or balancing family obligations, stress is an inevitable part of life, but it always seems to become exaggerated during the holiday season. Living in such a high-performing city like DC, chronic stress seems to be everywhere. But have you ever considered how it might be affecting your immediate health?

Stress causes our cortisol levels to spike, which can lead to a reduced immune and digestive function and imbalanced hormone levels. Cortisol also can cause cravings—particularly for carbs and sweet foods in women—which can throw our bodies further out of balance.

Here are my top 10 foods to help calm the body and combat stress. I’ve been trying to do a better job of integrating these into my diet and invite you to do the same! In particular, substituting these with caffeine and refined sugar for steadier blood sugar levels have made such a positive difference.

Blueberries and Oranges: These are super high in vitamin C, which can be helpful in combating stress. I love to snack on them throughout the morning or once I start crashing in the afternoon, rather than hitting the snack cart at work. Try my shrimp tacos with blueberry avocado salsa.

Avocado: Avocados contain more folate than any other fruit. They also contain healthy fats, which will help to keep blood sugar levels from spiking. I absolutely love it in the morning with my avocado toast upgrade.

Chocolate: Isn’t this the best one? Unfortunately this isn’t a free pass to start eating through all of that leftover Halloween candy, but in moderation dark chocolate (more than 75% cacao) does have mood-boosting properties. Make yourself a treat with my thin mint smoothie.

Oats: This complex carbohydrate is great because it contains a great deal of soluble fiber, which will keep you feeling calm, and triggers serotonin production. All complex carbs are known to boost serotonin levels, but for starters, try out my delicious nourishing oatmeal.

Leafy greens: Magnesium deficiencies can cause headaches and fatigue, exacerbating the effects of stress. Leafy greens are full of magnesium and can therefore keep some of those stress symptoms at bay—try my strawberry, mint, and goat cheese spinach salad or my very favorite kale and mango salad.

Walnuts: High in omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts are proven brain-boosters and help to prevent memory loss. Feeling adventurous? Try my walnut-based vegan tacos.

Garlic: Garlic has powerful antioxidants and contains allicin, which can help boost your immune system as it caves due to stress. Try my angel hair shrimp scampi and add some homemade garlic bread and a glass of wine for good measure J

Chamomile: Calms nerves and promotes sleep. I always have some hot chamomile lavender tea before bed and it is so soothing!

Green Tea: A great substitution for your morning latte—which will feel great for an hour or two but will probably make you crash by the afternoon—green tea has brain-boosting elements that will enhance mental performance. My favorite flavor is pomegranate green tea.

Homestead Farm

October 31, 2015 by The Sunny Side Up Recipes Leave a Comment

Hello friends! I’m sorry it’s been so long since my last post, but I’m back and have a special treat for you today! For those of you who still need to get Halloween-ready, look no further– this is your one-stop shop for all things pumpkin and fall!

Last weekend I had a wonderful afternoon with friends checking out Homestead Farm in Poolesville, Maryland, about a 45 minute drive out of DC. For those of you in the DC area, this is a must-do (if not for the fall foliage along the drive, for the homemade apple pie you’ll get when you arrive)! Homestead is a pick-your-own produce farm specializing in apples in pumpkins during the fall, but also features a petting zoo, hay rides, an apple butter stand, and a small farmer’s market. It doesn’t get more fall, and it’s my absolute favorite place to go apple picking in the DC area. Check it out! Here are some of my favorite highlights:

The farm has three varieties of apples–Enterprise, Fuji, and Pink Lady. Fuji are my personal favorite because they’re sweetest, but their more tart Pink Lady apples are also great for baking (apple pie recipe coming soon).

We also made some new friends….

Put together some colorful fall centerpieces (watch out, Martha)…

…And picked out some flowers and produce for the week! My faves: red mums, pumpkin butter, homemade bread and butter pickles, and strawberry rhubarb preserves. Yum!

**Pricing: Pink Lady and Fuji apples ($1.49/lb) and pumpkins (59 cents/lb)

Dumbarton Oaks Gardens

August 28, 2015 by The Sunny Side Up Recipes Leave a Comment

While I usually post recipes on the blog, this week I had to make an exception because this was too special to miss! For those of you who live in DC, Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown is truly a hidden gem and an oasis in the chaos of the city.

A historic estate built in the 1920’s, the fifty three acre property is surrounded by exquisite rose gardens, herb gardens, and fountains. National Garden even ranks it sixth in the world, keeping it in line with Versailles and Kew.

Needless to say, it’s absolutely stunning and well worth a visit! Entry is only $10 per person for the day and the entrance is found at 31st and R street, just a short walk from the main shops on M Street. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

FAQs & My Food Philosophy

August 4, 2015 by The Sunny Side Up Recipes Leave a Comment

Hello friends! I’m so excited to announce that I’ve just added a new “FAQ” section the blog in response to some of the questions I’ve gotten recently from my friends and family. As always, thank you so much for all of your support, suggestions, and kind comments these past few months. It’s been a joy to pursue health together with you all! A little taste of this new section:

What is your blog about?

Healthy cooking doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether you’re an athlete, a young professional, or just looking for some inspiration or cooking tips, I’m here to teach you how to make simple, quick, and easy recipes to fuel your life.

My recipes emphasize a plant-based lifestyle filled with fresh wholesome foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, grains, and some dairy (and of course some treats too!). I love knowing exactly where my food comes from and building recipes that revolve around bountiful seasonal produce, bold spices, and super foods that make us feel like we can take on the world.

What’s your cooking philosophy?

Food is nourishment.

We don’t know how good our bodies are designed to feel. I want my readers to experience how amazing it feels to have a beautiful, nutritious meal—to feel strong, confident, vibrant and bold. When we get into a pattern of eating wholesome foods that nourish us rather than processed ones that making us feel groggy, we can do anything we put our minds to.

Food is medicine. By eating the beautiful foods that we were intended to, we can actually heal our bodies and prevent illness and disease. Our Creator has provided us with all of the resources we need to live in total health with foods uniquely constructed to provide all of the nutrients we need to be healthy and strong.

No more rules or diets. Dieting is exhausting, and it takes all of the fun out of cooking. You won’t find any purposefully carb-free or fat-free recipes here, and that’s intentional. Dieting teaches us that we can’t trust our bodies and that we need to deprive ourselves of the foods that we love. But by practicing intuitive eating, listening to what our bodies are craving, and eating whole foods instead of processed ones (particularly processed sugar and flour), we can pursue our full health without guilt or stress. Cooking should be colorful, playful, and creative, and it’s time to bring the fun back into it. There’s too much going on in life to stress about food too–right?

Practice self-love. Rather than comparing ourselves to others and others’ body types, embrace yourself as you are. You are uniquely and wonderfully made, and there’s nobody else in the world like you.

What kind of camera do you use? Who takes pictures for your blog?

I take all of my own pictures using Canon EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR Camera with an EF-S 118-55 mm f/3.5 – 5.6 IS Lens. This particular model has since been discontinued, but I highly recommend the Canon Rebel series for food bloggers looking for versatile yet sharp, crisp shots.

What does the title of your blog mean?

The first reason I chose this blog title is because all of my recipes are California-inspired. My recipes are all inspired by sunny beach days, outdoor farmer’s markets, and fresh, local ingredients.

Most importantly, I believe that we live our best lives when we have positive attitudes and practice gratitude for the many blessings God has given us. In the midst of the chaos around us, I wanted this blog to be a celebration of life, of color, and the joy of sharing meals in community and with loved ones.

Breathe, kick back, and never forget that each day is a gift and a new opportunity to serve and love others, which we can do best when our bodies are nourished by a healthy, natural diet. That’s what life on the sunny side is all about. 🙂

Half Marathon Training

July 29, 2015 by The Sunny Side Up Recipes Leave a Comment

Now that it’s officially summer, running season is upon us! I’m currently training for a few different races this fall and thought I’d share some tips and resources to help you prepare for your next half marathon race. Although 13 miles might sound like a lot (believe me, I used to think a 5k was a big ask!), it’s actually very doable if you stick to a regular training schedule leading up to the race.

Ideally, you’ll want to run up to 4 days a week. Using the model below, an average week would include a 3 mile run, a 4 mile run, another 3 mile run, and then a “long run” that will increase in length every week (see below) until you max out at the 12 mile point. It’s particularly important to allow yourself adequate rest in between runs, so I space these out during the week and always do my long runs on Sunday mornings.

A few additional tips on rest, endurance, and race training:

For longer races, consider running in intervals. I run my best–and fastest–races when I do a 5 minute run interval followed by 1 minute walk interval for the entire race. While it may seem counter intuitive (ie “Won’t I have a faster race if I just run the whole thing straight through?”), I find that the short resting period forces me to run at a steady pace so I don’t have to take breaks later. When I do run it’s faster, and the walking break helps to prevent injury.
Additional activities 1-3 days a week should include yoga, stretching, cardio, and/or strength training. If it’s too hot outside and I don’t feel like going on the treadmill for a longer run, I’ll try out an intense spin class or something else that’s indoors but will still give that cardio burn and get my heart rate up so I’m gaining strength on a cardiovascular level.
Hill or trail runs should be incorporated at least 1 run per week. Make this one of the three mile runs listed above and it will increase your endurance very quickly! High intensity interval training also will help!
Utilize an OFF day before long runs, and a cross-training or OFF day after long runs.
Want to map out your course? I use an iPhone app called MapMyRun” that uses GPS data to map out your run. Bonus: It gives you your distance, calories burned, and can time out intervals for you.

Sample “Long Run” Schedule

Week 8: 7 mile run

Week 7: 8 mile run

Week 6: 9 mile run

Week 5: 10 mile run

Week 4 : 11 mile run

Week 3: 12 mile run

Week 2 (Taper): 6 mile run

Race Week: 2 mile run/ 2 mile run /3 mile run /RACE DAY!!

Bluemont Vineyard

July 20, 2015 by The Sunny Side Up Recipes Leave a Comment

This Saturday I had an incredible afternoon visiting Bluemont Vineyard, a beautiful vineyard about an hour north of Washington D.C. in Bluemont, Virginia. In addition to having a wonderful selection of summer white wines, it also has one of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen. For all of you in the DC area, Bluemont is a must see! It’s truly a gem.

The winery has a store, a two-story wine tasting room, and a gorgeous deck overlooking the mountainside. The wine tasting itself is $6 and includes 4 varieties, including three whites and one red, but also has a nice great variety of dry and sweet wines. While all of them were great, my favorite was the Farm Table White, a crisp, dry Chardonnay blend with a hint of zest and citrus–it’s super fresh and smooth, making it a great compliment to most summer dishes. We also loved their peach wine, a light and fruity summer treat that would be great with barbecue or fish.

Another highlight was definitely the food (no surprise there)! They have an amazing food menu, but after much deliberation we ended up ordering the taster’s platter, which came with a warm, fresh baguette, homemade cheeses, prosciutto, dried fruit, and other delicious goodies. We felt seriously spoiled, and every bite was absolutely delicious. Doesn’t this look wonderful?

All in all, this is definitely a must-see if you’re looking for a relaxing weekend day trip to get out of the city. Bluemont has some of the best views of any winery in the area, and the food and wine selection were excellent! We can’t wait to go back soon. For more information on their wine selection and hours, check out their website here. Cheers!

Eastern Market Review

June 22, 2015 by The Sunny Side Up Recipes Leave a Comment

This weekend a friend and I stopped by Eastern Market to check out their outdoor crafts and farmer’s market. Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, it’s a great spot to pickup fresh produce or speciality food items. Here are a few of my favorite finds, recipes coming soon!

Travel: Taste of Como

June 10, 2015 by The Sunny Side Up Recipes Leave a Comment

Home to beautiful lakeside villas, winding alleyways, scenic mountain views, (and most famously, the George Clooney estate), Como is one of the most sought after destinations in all of Italy. Its beauty is truly unparalleled and in typical Italian fashion, it offers some of the best and most decadent cuisine in all of Europe. Here are a few of my favorite dishes from Como as well as a few snapshots from Bellagio, the scenic tourist hub on the perimeter of the lake. I hope you enjoy these beautiful pictures of my favorite place as much as I do!

Travel: Taste of Bellagio

June 5, 2015 by The Sunny Side Up Recipes Leave a Comment

Vacation Spot: Lake Como

What to see: Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio

What to eat: Lombard cuisine isn’t your typical Italian fare–rather than finding your stereotypical pasta dishes with tomatoes and olive oil, you can expect to see lots of meats and cheeses as well as richer entree dishes like risotto alla milanese (a heavy cream-based saffron risotto), and of course wonderful wines.

While most people assume that Como (the city) would be the most popular area around Lake Como, tourists typically use the ferry service to hop around to various parts of the lake. Como does have the widest selection of shops and restaurants (can you say souvenir shopping?), but you won’t want to miss some of the other, more quaint areas like Bellagio and Varenna where you’ll spend the day getting lost in cobblestone alleyways lined with small shops and pizzerias. Today, I’m giving you my exclusive peak into the wonderful town of Bellagio, which Mark Twain used to call a “paradise of tranquil repose.”

How to get around: Just kidding! While these red sports cars are gorgeous, Bellagio is built into the mountainside, so the best way to explore is by foot. Expect to climb quite a few stairs but to be rewarded with incredibly beautiful views overlooking the entire lake.

What to bring back: Silk products, local crafts, homemade pastas and local honey, amaretto cookies.

These light, flourless cookies are the perfect afternoon treat with tea or coffee and come in an array of colors, so I love to give them as hostess gifts for dinner parties:

Local sauces and honeys are wonderful…

as are some of the shops with homemade crafts. This is actually an ornament store that celebrates Christmas all year long!

Finally, you can’t leave Bellagio without their staple silks and leather products, and you can’t leave Italy without homemade pasta! Tip: Don’t settle for the first shop you see, especially those closest to the main dock. The shops located on the main street at the top of the hill have the best deals, and will often throw in extra scarves or goods for you if you buy several at a time.

What to do: Bellagio has an incredibly laid back feel. Take in the bright colors and palm trees along the Via Garibaldi, the main street along the dock, grab some gelato or a cappuccino, and enjoy getting lost in the wonderful colors and architecture that make the town come alive.