5 Things I’m grateful for today: 1) my mom’s strawberry rhubarb pie recipe 2) iTunes & the classic hip-hop styling’s of Ludacris, Usher, & L’il John  3) fresh dill  4) friends to share my joy of cooking with 5) taking the time to do nothing but enjoy the rich beauty of life.

I woke up this morning to the typical Santa Monica marine layer that we’ve seen all summer long here in “sunny” California.  Our “June Gloom” which decided to overstay it’s welcome into July, August, and September.  This marks the first of the 4 summers I have spent in L.A. that I have not thrown my purple Ugg boots into an ‘out of season’ box with my hoodies and sweaters.  Even my cream wool scarf received a reprieve from the storage bin.

So when I stumbled sleepily out of bed praying for sunshine, I must admit to being a TOUCH disappointed at the daybreak haze.  Cloudy.  Again.  Nonetheless, I was determined to get to my spin class, come hell or high ‘humidity’, so I threw on my uggs and grabbed a travel mug of my ONE perennial ‘anti-fitness professional’ vice (espresso roast coffee with completely UNnatural hazelnut creamer + splenda)…. and began the 1 mile trek to the gym.

The terrain seemed more like the wuthering moors of Sedgemoor than the California coastline, but at this point in my walk I could hardly notice….. being MUCH too busy rockin’ out to the sick flows of Luda and ‘Ursher’ in my headphones.  As I walked into Equinox, I’m fairly certain I was singing aloud en route to my bike… “I left the Jag and I took the Rolls, if they aint cuttin’ then I put ‘em on foot patROLLLLLLL.. AAAOOOW, How you like me now?!?!……”.

Spin class was heart-pumping fun, despite the Justin Bieber- heavy music mix, and the conspicuous lack of Luda.  I hopped off my bike feeling my ‘inner sunshine’ cut through the murky fog outside, as headed off in pursuit of today’s “Blissful”mission”: buying fresh, healthy, ingredients at the local Farmers’ Market for tonight’s dinner.

Tonight I was preparing a homemade dinner of seasonal California fare for a longtime NYC friend who was visiting for the night.  This undertaking is right in line with one of my latest “blissful” passions: a renewed interest in cooking.  I have been having a torrid love affair with simmering, braising, searing, and sautéing.  I once even attempted a fricosee! Sometimes, I’ll use a recipe, and sometimes I’ll throw caution to the wind and throw a handful of the most aromatic herbs and exotic spices into the pan with some EVOO and create decadent combinations that have never before been conceived!  It has been a rich and delicious outlet for my imagination, and has allowed me to tempt my senses and create edible works of art.  Occasionally, I have played a little fast & loose with my ingenuity & been forced to order last minute take-out from Akbar’s Indian restaurant down the street, but all in all…It’s been a delightful and tasty jaunt!   No matter what I endeavor… my joy AND my challenge is to always cook with an awareness of nourishing the body with healthy and delectable whole foods.

As I meander the Farmers’ Market, sweaty and tired from spin, my mind spins with all the delicious possibilities.  With no menu planned I simply maneuver from stand to stand choosing whatever is the

most beautiful!  The ripest heirlooms, the most tender greens, the purplest eggplants, the most sunshine-y yellow peppers.  I take my time…asking the farmers for their favorite recipes, herbs, and flavor combinations.  Along the way… I hear their life stories, rich with experience.  I sense their passion for their food.  I know who sells organic, and who has had farming in their family for more than 5 generations.  I know who grows the best Haas avocados, and who will give you rare & delicious ‘opal basil’ if you ask.  I know that the flower guy at 2^nd & Arizona is a die hard buck-eye, and the vendor who’s famous for his ‘holy guacamole’ is a Michigan fan who was once denied service at a South Bend Denny’s for this abomination.

I spent nearly 90 minutes languidly indulging in the experience of the vibrant marketplace.  Taking it all in.  Listening & learning…perusing crisp produce…tasting fresh peaches and nectarines.  Gathering family recipes.  It was pure heaven.  Time went by without feeling like time at all.

After filling bags and bags with the makings of what will clearly be an orgasmic meal, I was still at a loss for dessert.  Just before giving up & contemplating Ghiradelli brownies…I saw it:  Fresh rhubarb.   A spring phenomena usually well out of season by fall.  I couldn’t believe my eyes!  One of my greatest childhood joys was my mom’s strawberry rhubarb pie.

"Fall" Rhubarb from Santa Monica, CA

Even as a child, I knew this was something magical.  I have always wished I could enjoy fresh rhubarb pie for thanksgiving, but it just never seemed in the cards.  I had resigned myself to using frozen, which (let’s face it) just isn’t the same.  But NOW…I walked over, half convinced the stand was a mirage.  I asked the farmer “How?”  “How could you possibly have rhubarb so late in the year?”  She replied that this summer had been so unseasonably cold, that they were able to grow it into the fall.  Well.  Whaddaya know. The June Gloom had been the catalyst for this unprecedented seasonal marvel.

After buying as many of the rich garnet stalks as I could possibly carry, I walked home to Luda’s flow and thought to myself: it seems every grey cloud really DOES have a silver lining.

Well, the time has come.  It’s March.

It’s been a looooooooong while since Jolly Old Saint Nick stole down your chimney & ate all your cookies, but it’s still a while until April showers bring May flowers.   By now, 3 months into the new decade, your New Years’ resolutions have likely fallen by the wayside (be honest.  You haven’t hit the gym 6 days a week for ‘step-sculpt-cardioboxing’, and the last time you ate a vegetable was…. The carrot cake you ate for breakfast.  I know, I know… “cream cheese is totally a breakfast food!!!!”)  And there’s worse yet to come!!  Basketball bracket parties offer myriad opportunities to dive head-first into a bowl of queso and stuff yourself with delectable chips & dips.  And forget about St. Patty’s Day!!!!  Admit it.  Last year you drank 4 green beers, 6 shots of Jameson, and downed 5 “irish car bombs” before your corned beef & cabbage lunch….. Because even though you’re ACTUALLY Sicilian, on March 17^th, EVERYBODY is Irish!!

Well have no fear.  I’m not here to kill your buzz.  Just to give you a few easy ways to combat that beer belly, and make better choices- without compromising your inner “irish” frat guy.

Guiness: “It’s Good for You” – it’s frothy.  It’s irish.  AND you can ask the barmaid for that swirly shamrock in the foam. On top of being delicious, recent studies show that Guiness can also work as well as a low dose of aspirin to prevent artery clotting, & can reduce the risk of heart attack.  Guiness also possesses antioxidants (similar to those in super-foods like blueberries) which have some pretty potent health benefits.  PLUS, with lower caloric content than regular beer (198 kcal/pint…. Less than a glass of OJ or skim milk), Guiness is thick, rich & much more filling, making it more likely you’ll be full and satisfied with just one (or….. let’s face it…. 2), so you’ll save calories AND dollars over consuming regular beer.  So indulge!  And earn the nickname “Professor Guiness O’Guiness’oyle”

“Kiss Me I’m Irish!” – we all know that kissing is a great way to express affection, and to boost self esteem.  BUT… did you know kissing can have tremendous heath benefits as well?  For one it stimulates adrenaline production, which not only helps relieve stress, but also gives us a natural boost in energy (enough for one more round of Guiness).  Also, the endorphin release from one kiss can be 200x more potent than morphine!!! Burn, baby, Burn! a good kiss can raise your natural metabolic rate, burning calories 2 to 1!  Forget the French – grab your sweetie and give ‘em a touch of the Irish!  See… I TOLD you I wasn’t here to spoil your fun

Beer Belly Busters:  If you STILL can’t resist the temptation of 7 or 8 green beers, here are a few quick & easy exercises that’ll bust that gut!

1: fore-arm plank: a great one you can do at work while waiting for your assistant to bring your morning double half-caff.  Place the elbows on the ground directly under the shoulders, and roll over your toes to a full plank position (on the knees for beginners) lengthening through the spine.  This hold will challenge the core within 20 seconds, taking breaks on the knees as needed, try to maintain your plank for a full 90 seconds (come on… it’s only ninety SECONDS!!), ultimately working up to 2 minutes sans breaks for advanced.  BONUS: in addition to streamlining the abs, this tones arms, chest & shoulders too!

2: bicycles: St. Patty’s day has a reputation of landing you flat on your back!  This year….. make it be in a GOOD way) All you need is about 6 feet of space in your living room.  You can do these while watching ‘The Real Housewives” of your choice, so NO excuses!  lying on your back, draw your RT knee in to your chest while extending the LT leg straight.  Use the core to roll up OFF your shoulder blades.  Keeping the neck relaxed & the scapula lifted, begin SLOWLY switching legs, continually drawing the navel to the spine.  Take breaks as needed by lying down & hugging the knees to the chest.  Work your way up to 3 sets of 2 minutes each, and ENJOY your new ripped abs.  No one will EVER know you indulged in 2 corn beef sandwiches and 20 cups of irish coffee

3: Straight to the Core: no gym membership? NO problem!  check out my FREE ab. workout on exercise TV!  Just go to On Demand & under ‘sports & fitness’ you’ll find exercise tv.  Under the heading of core work & Pilates, you’ll find my signature 10 MIN series, “straight to the core”.  Come work off all those car bombs with me, in your very own living room!