Sometimes you just need a minute, you know?

Life seems to be going at an alarmingly fast pace. Your mind seems to be on two speeds: super fast and super uber fast. So much to do, too much to fit into 24 hours. So much life to live after all the chores are done. And, oh my gosh, is that a wrinkle on my forehead? What? I’m 29? When did that happen?? Aaaahhh!

Or maybe that’s just my mind?

Well, if you can relate to my crazy inner banter, then you might just need a little R&R, Lauren and Ted style.

Picture this:

Arrive a a beautiful yoga studio with a view of the mountains. 7:30am. Sharp. Do an invigorating yoga classes led by Ted McDonald, one and only, love of my life and yoga instructor extraordinaire.

Exit the studio to find yourself staring at a homemade breakfast, waiting diligently to be devoured and enjoyed.

Green tea. Homemade granola. Fresh fruit. Greek yogurt. Freshly pressed juice from Pressed Juicery.

Wait, what’s that? You want to go for a hike?

Ok – it’s a plan! After breakfast, Ted, who also happens to be an ex adventure racer (what?), leads you on a hike in the Santa Monica Mountains. Stunning views in the heart of Malibu – no big deal!

And wait – now you’re hungry? What, a 2 hour hike got your appetite going? That’s so weird…

Good thing I came prepared 🙂

As you climb the stairs and round the corner to the studio, you are greeted with a feast for your eyes – and your belly too!

Fresh green salad with goat cheese, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts with a honey dijon vinaigrette.

Quinoa salad with caramelized onions, garlic, toasted pine nuts, and sun dried tomatoes.

Grilled asparagus and broccoli salad with oven roasted cherry tomatoes and cauliflower, tossed with fresh basil oil.

Homemade guacamole with those gosh darn delicious California avocados.

Watermelon, mint, raspberry and grapefruit salad, vegan/gluten free donuts, and more pressed juice and fresh fruit.

Once you are finished with your lunch, you enter the yoga studio for a final stretch with an hour long yin yoga class.

Yes, this day just might be sufficient enough to slow your mind down, relax your body, and bring yourself back into awareness in the present moment. If you don’t have a healthy body and mind, it’s going to be damn near impossible to get it to perform the ridiculous amount of tasks you ask it to on a day to day basis.

If you find yourself longing for a day such as the one I just described, long no more. Sunday, August 19th, we are doing it all over again. 7:30am sharp. Pointe Dume Yoga, Malibu, CA. E-mail me for more details 🙂

In the meantime, do yourself a favor and make some homemade vegan, gluten free granola. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, after all, so why not make it a meal to look forward to!

Lauren’s Gluten Free Vegan Granola – Makes 6 cups

4 tablespoons coconut oil

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

1/2 cup honey

1/8 cup brown sugar

2 cups gluten free oats

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup almonds

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup dried raisins

Preheat over to 325F.

1. In a saucepan, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Stir until the oil has melted. Add the honey and brown sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a simmer. Set aside.

2. Put the oats, coconut, sunflower seeds and almonds in a large bowl (note – you can use any nuts/seeds you want so if you don’t like these, add whatever you do like). Toss it all together. Drizzle the sugar mixture over top and toss so that all is coated.

3. Place the mixture onto a greased baking sheet in an even, single layer. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes until the mixture is browned.

4. Add the cranberries and raisins (again – if you don’t like these, add any dried fruit that you do like – dried apricots, dates, etc.) and toss. Bake for another 5 minutes.

5. Let the granola cool in the pan and then transfer it to a plastic container. You can store it in an airtight container for at least a week.

Happy Sunday 🙂

Lauren

xxx