Cardi Barbi

This may come as a shock to many of you, but I love food. I always have. It's my pacifier. It makes me happy. Especially bread. I often joke that the reason some people are still alive today is my immediate access to onion bagels. I have one almost everyday, at home or out. If I go to a bagel place and they do not make onion bagels, I never go back.

I'm from a small town in Pennsylvania, and we had all types of bakeries when I was growing up, and they still do. My town was such a great mix of cultures that we had shops that made bagels, cannolis, doughnuts, sugar cookies, and baklava.

The modern day sugar cookies originated in Nazareth, PA, just a few short miles from my hometown. My mother could go to Leone's Bakery and get minutes old fresh baked Italian bread for dinner that night. We grew up fairly close to Philadelphia and New York City, which meant day trips to food nirvana. My father took us often.

The only thing we didn't have was fresh shellfish. I actually thought Mrs. Paul's fish sticks were seafood. I didn't have my first crab until I was twelve. I thought that my parents had perpetrated a great miscarriage of justice. How had I been living without crabs?

Now in DC, I couldn't be happier with the access to all of the different foods and cultures available every day. I can get my bread, sushi, crabs, bbq, and butter chicken, all in one place. This girl couldn't be happier and the world is a safer place. No, I do not need therapy or intervention. Why? Because I have access to my bagels, and that is enough.

1 pound Brussels sprouts thinly sliced or shredded
2 cups Tuscab kale w/ stems removed and finely chopped
1/2 cup carrots shredded and chopped
1/4 cup pomegranate arils
1/2 large avocado peeled, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup candied pecans chopped

In a large bowl toss together the Brussels sprouts, kale, carrots and pomegrante arils.
Just before serving add the avocado and candied pecans.
Add your preferred vinaigrette and toss once again and serve.

Note: Avocado will brown. If you expect to have leftovers, serve the avocado on the side. The salad is best with it. It provides a smooth and creamy element to the salad.

Serving size: 3-4

Mental State

"Stress is bad for you because it weakens your brain, body and immune system."

Our world has drastically changed over the last several months. It has been a difficult time for many people. Our health is at risk, jobs have been lost, education and teaching methods are still uncertain, and family and friends are encouraged to stay distant. These are all stressors that can negatively impact our mental state. During this difficult time I have been able to rekindle my love for yoga. This practice helps me control anxiety, quiet the noise, reset, realign, focus, balance and maintain a peace of mind.

Yoga Is For Everyone

"Yoga is for anyone looking for peace and serenity."

Yoga is fulfilling because it meets you where you are. You do not have to be super flexible, a health/yoga enthusiast, and you definitely do not need to have everything figured out. Practicing yoga allows you the mental space you need to understand your daily concerns, kindly sort though any problems, and help you overcome roadblocks.

https://www.thetailoredwellness.com/