From the monthly archives:

September 2008

Cooking Classes Arizona

by Martha on September 29, 2008

I love cooking classes. I love giving cooking classes. I love taking cooking classes. I took my first cooking class back in California more than 20 years ago and I have never stopped. My last major culinary learning adventure was a five day culinary retreat in Sedona I attended with my sister in April. Diane Carlson, Founder of The Conscious Gourmet, taught us to prepare all kinds of dishes - breakfasts, soups, salads, appetizers, main courses, and desserts using wholesome, natural ingredients.

We worked with expellar pressed oils, sea vegetables, and natural sugar substitutes like agave, rice syrup, and maple sugar. It was a total mind-body-spirit immersion that included yoga and taught us how to fully experience food and its effects. We left this culinary retreat with a notebook full of information and delicious recipes.

That was more than five months ago and my desire to continue my culinary education has returned. Fortunately there are lots of cooking classes in Arizona to indulge my culinary curiosity. If you are like me and love cooking classes or are looking for a fun way to get more comfortable in the kitchen, here are a few cooking class options to check out:

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Bikram Yoga Phoenix

by Martha on September 9, 2008

Bikram Yoga PhoenixI‘ve been practicing various styles of yoga here in Phoenix for more than ten years.

Several years ago my sister convinced me to try hot yoga so I did but never went back. The instructor was demeaning and in my opinion reckless when he stood and bounced on my sister’s thighs during supta vajrasana.

As a person who wilts in extreme heat, prefers freedom to structure, and works to avoid unnecessary injury, Bikram Yoga did not resonate with me.

Recently, I’ve had the urge to give Bikram Yoga another go. Many people I admire, including Wayne Dyer, praise its positive effects.

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Limoncello Cheesecake Squares

by Martha on September 8, 2008

Limoncello Cheesecake SquaresI love cheesecake and limoncello, the wonderful lemon liqueur from Southern Italy, so when I came across a recipe for limoncello cheesecake squares in Giada De laurentiss’ Giada’s Family Dinners cookbook it sounded like a match made in heaven for our lemon dessert loving family. With a half bottle of limoncello in the freezer and the rest of the required ingredients in the refrigerator and pantry, I whipped up a batch of these light and creamy lemon cheesecake squares yesterday.

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Yoga ClassAre you thinking about becoming a yoga teacher or expanding your understanding with advanced studies? If you live in Phoenix or Scottsdale you are in luck. There are several Yoga Alliance registered Yoga Teacher Training Programs to chose from.

But first, how do you choose the yoga teacher training program that’s right for you? There are lots of things to consider including:
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September is National Yoga Month

by Martha on September 3, 2008

Low LungeSeptember is National Yoga Month.

To celebrate and promote yoga and healthy living, A 10 City Yoga Festival Tour is being held throughout the US and Canada with many of the top names in Yoga - Shiva Rea, Larry Payne, Timothy McCall - participating. All proceeds from Yoga Month and Yoga Health Festivals will benefit Youth Health Alliance and health education for underserved children.

To learn more about Yoga Month.

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