Bikram Yoga

I had heard so much about this "Heat Yoga" from friends and have been wanting to try it for a long time. Sadly the only studio for a while had been all the way across town and took nearly an hour to drive to most times of the day.

Lucky for me (And for Will)one finally opened with in walking distance of our apartment! I know! The luck! So for the first time yesterday we went in and signed up for our ten day unlimited trial. It was only 20 dollars for 10 days and the drop in class was 15 dollars. It just made sense. We went again today to ease our muscles and continue the practice.

I happen to like it a lot. Mind you not as I like vinyasa yoga. Still it literally gets you soaking in sweat within several minutes. It seems to be wonderful for rapid weight loss and injury. It is certainly challenging. I just don't seem to have the same emotional connection that I do with Flow style. Perhaps because it is more for pure fitness then it is for the ease of the soul and mind body connection, or maybe I have just not been practicing it as long.

On that note I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to try it or get physically fit. It is challenging and fun at the same time. You can feel your body releasing its toxins instantly. It has practitioners of all shapes and sizes, all levels and all ages. It was also recommended in the top ten Bikram Yoga Studios in America by 'Details'.


On a personal note, I think that this is one of the best places that could have expanded their franchises in our city. Like it or note San Antonio is not the healthiest place to live. Still places like this, resources like the newly launched Fitness portal, supplies by the Mayors Fitness Council and a variety of free activities have the potential to help San Antonio healthy and happy!

Spicy Cauliflower and Onion Coucous

Spicy Cauliflower
Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower
Creole Spice
Red pepper flakes
onion flakes
Olive Oil

Slice the cauliflower thin, removing the steams and greens. Mix up the ingredients in a large bowl and sit at room temp for a half an hour to am hour.

Heat up pan at medium to high heat and pour mixture into the pan. Sautee this until the cauliflower is soft. Serve.

Coucous

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of veggie broth or water
1/2 an onion Chopped
1 cup of whole wheat couscous

Boil Liquid. Once it is at a rolling boil. Pour in couscous and remove from heat. Cover. Heat onion in a pan and sautee until clear. If it sticks add a touch of oil. Stir in onion. Serve.

Sesame and Ginger Tofu and Black/Brown Rice

3/4 cups of Black and brown rice
1 bunch of Spinach
3/4 tbsp veggie oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp ginger, chopped
3 scallions, White and green parts separated
1 pack firm tofu, cut into 1/2 inch slices
2 tbsp sesame oil
Lime wedges for serving

Steam Rice according to directions. Fluff and set aside.

Steam the spinach in the veggie oil over medium heat for 2 minutes and set aside. I like to drain any excess oil out...because I hate that oily taste.

Sautee the garlic, ginger and the white parts on the scallions in the remaining oil until it smells...amazing! About 1 minute. Add the slices of tofu into the mixture along with the sesame oil and cook until tofu is golden on both sides.

Remove the tofu and toss the rice that you had set to the side into the pan, cooking it until crisp.

Serve with the spinach and tofu on top. Garnish with lime wedges and the green parts of the scallions.