Drive - Yoga on the Cowell-Purisima Trail

TDH and I explored the recently opened Cowell-Purisima Trail a few months ago while visiting Half Moon Bay.  You must walk the 7.5 mile trail next time you find yourself on the NorCal coast.  The gorgeous scenery inspired impromptu yoga at sunset.  (First time practicing in biker boots!)  And the coastal views were breathtaking, the herd of cows living on the trail are living the dream.  The trail was relatively flat but a perfect way to work up an appetite for dinner overlooking our wedding location at Sam's Chowder House.   

Drift / 6 / Salt Lake City

 Although it's 70 degrees in La Jolla (not like that ever changes) I'm pretending it's chilly because I'm finalizing the fall collection for Borelli.  Fall 2012 is leaning towards jewel tones and grandma chic, a random yet fun mix of prints and colors inspired by my travels in India and my late Grandmother Lorraine.  

To see more of Borelli's fall inspiration head over to our pinboards - Fall - G-Ma.

I was flying back to San Diego after a week in Salt Lake City for the Outdoor Retailer show and Alt Summit.  It was an exhausting trip and I just wanted to cuddle up to my Southwest Airlines seatmate.  TDH rarely gets jealous but that would be going too far.  So, I cuddled with my wrap dress instead.  I designed it back while attending UCLA for undergrad.  (Yes, I keep clothes for a VERY long time, I still wear things from high school.)  The boots were a very calculated purchase, I didn't have enough confidence to pull them off at first.  But once I took the plunge I couldn't take them off.  You can ride a bike or wear a sexy dress or mini shorts with 'em. 

jacket - Theory / Dress - vintage Borelli / belt - Gap / leggings - Max Studio / boots - Steve Madden

Drift - What to Wear Wine Tasting

 

I prefer boots when wine tasting.  You never know when the owner may invite you to walk the vineyard.  Tasting rooms can be a makeshift cave or an outdoor patio so come prepared with lots of layers.  Most importantly, wear something cute.  With the gorgeous scenery you are bound to take a photo or two.  

Boots / Crimson Mim - Socks / Ralph Lauren - Scarf / Drift by Borelli - Purse / Penney's - Bomber Jacket / Forever 21

Hurry up!

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Color Story - Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay

I found a lovely color palette at Pillar Point Harbor this weekend.  Happy Monday. 

Healthy Thanksgiving Options

Still don't know what to make for the Holidays?  Some of my go-to's and on the to-do list recipes:
* Spicy Brussel Sprouts with Mint
* Tempeh and Eggplant
* Italian Indian Squash
* Raw Egg Nog
* Gluten Free Almond Cookies
* Butternut Squash & Hazelnut Bouchons with Toasted Nutmeg Ice Cream
* Thyme, Sage and Parmesan Biscuits 

Enjoy the weekend! 

Italian Indian Squash Delight

This week I combined the culinary styles of two of my favorite places in the world - Italy and India.  Their spices and flavors may be on opposite sides of the spectrum but the way they prepare and enjoy their food is similar.  Who doesn't love a culture that uses some type of bread to sop up the last puddles of sauce on your plate?  Each country savors each bite making dinners a 3-5 hour affair. 

In India you eat with one hand, the other is reserved for the not-so-clean bathrooms, which may be just a hole in the ground.  Took me a whole week to get the hang of tearing off naan with one hand!  Thankfully you can enjoy these lovely flavors from the comfort of your own home.  Although, if you are feeling adventurous, train yourself to embrace spicy food and book a trip to Goa for relaxation or Rajasthan to sight-see and walk with the princes.  The Prince of Udaipur was quite cute if I remember correctly.    

Ingredients

3-4 zucchini or squash, small to medium, chopped

1/2 onion, white or yellow, chopped

1/2 big bunch of kale, or 1 small bunch, chopped into 1/2" wide

1 garlic clove, smashed

1/2 lemon

good quality Parmesan cheese, NO KRAFT!

turmeric

red chili pepper flakes

cumin

salt

pepper

extra virgin olive oil

What to do with the Ingredients

1.  Heat a pan on medium heat, add evoo, garlic, onions, salt and pepper.  Cover and stir every minute or so until they start to turn clear.

2.  Toss the zucchini and squash in.  Add a few shakes of tumeric, cumin and as much red chili pepper flakes as you can handle.  (They are great for your metabolism.)  Squeeze the 1/2 lemon over the pan.  Cover for about 2 minutes.

3.  Add the kale, stir and cover.  I don't like my kale super soggy so I don't let it cook for long.  Totally up to you and your family's tastebuds.

4.  Top with Parmesan cheese. 

Step 2

Step 3

Mangia! (eat!)

Halloween

Happy hollows everyone!  Still looking for a costume?  I threw this Tourist get-up together in a few minutes thanks to TDH's help.  What you'll need:

- multiple cameras, the bulkier the better (start every conversation with a picture)
- multiple watches, one preferably a GPS, set to different time zones
- bright colored floral tops or onesies
- maps (unfold often, pointing where you are headed)
- guidebooks
- backpack (to store snacks for the long trip ahead)
- big hat (it's tough walking around a foreign place all day)
- colored zinc (more sun protection)
- compression socks (the sedentary car culture of Americans will cause tired legs riding the subway and seeing the sights!)
 

5 minute Avocado, Kale and Sprout Salad

Ingredients
1 bushel kale, washed, de-ribbed, torn into bite-size pieces
1/2 avocado
peach, champagne, or any light balsamic vinegar
handful of mixed sprouts
salt
pepper

1.  Mix kale and avocado with your hands to soften up the kale.
2.  Add vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.  Start light and add more.
3.  Top with sprouts.

ps - anyone else LOVING their new iphone!? the camera is amazing!

Bittersweet Vegan Fall Lunch

Ummmmm, Mariss, what is that title?  Random I know but once you taste this dish you will know what I mean!  The bitter broccoli rabe and acidic vinegar balances the sweetness of the apple juice and agave.  While the eggplant and tempeh soaks up ALL the flavors.  Instead of stir-frying uber spongy eggplant and tempeh in oil and tacking on hidden calories (why do you think restaurant eggplant is sooooo tasty!?) braise everything in lighter-on-the-waistline juice and vinegar. 

Ingredients
red chili flakes or 1 chili pepper de-seeded and finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 good-size bunch broccoli rabe, washed, ends trimmed, cut remaining in half
2 tomatoes, quartered
1/2 medium globe eggplant or 2 Japanese eggplants, cut into 1" chunks
1 block tempeh, chopped into 1/2" pieces
apple juice
apple cider vinegar
walnuts, raw or toasted

1.  Heat a medium size pan to medium heat, add chili peppers and garlic for about 15 seconds.
2.  Add eggplant, tomatoes, tempeh, 1/2c apple juice and 1/4c apple cider vinegar.  Cover and let simmer for 10-12 minutes.
3.  Add broccoli rabe and a few splashes more of the juice, braise for 5 more minutes.
4.  Drizzle with a little agave and top with walnuts.

Serves 3-4 as a main meal, 4-6 as a side.

* Great alternative for meat-laden Thanksgiving dishes. 
* Don't forget to add all your veggie scraps to the composter.

BIKING IN THE FALL

          Here in La Jolla our weather doesn't shift drastically in the fall or any other season for that matter.  I still manage to wear boots from my NYC days but instead of tights I pair them with shorts and a light sweater.  For the rest of the world that has to worry about sudden downpours and windy mornings try The Rain Cape from Iva Jean in Seattle, Washington.  Curved reflective piping give elongate your frame and make sure cars and other cyclists see you.  It slides easily over your head and/or backpack filled with the daily essentials.  The color is a light and simple gray which can go with ANYTHING in your closet.  Last but not least, it's designed and MADE in Washington.  And if you ever find yourself in Seattle and looking for a bike route check out the few they recommend.