Shortness of breath. Uncontrollable trembling. Nausea. Fear of losing control. Fear of dying.

Panic attacks are one of the worst things a person can experience and for those with panic and anxiety disorders, life can be cruelly dictated by them. It is common for sufferers to avoid certain activities or to partake but be dogged by the constant fear of having a panic attack.

Luckily there are strategies you can use to overcome a panic attack.

Slow breathing

Rapid breathing is one of the earliest symptoms of a panic attack and actually leads to more symptoms of increasing levels of discomfort. Slow your breathing down by counting to 5 on each breath in and out. If you find yourself counting too quickly and can’t slow yourself down, instead try to hold your breath for 5 seconds (or counts) between each inhale and exhale.

Engage the senses

As much as it sounds like a new age mantra, this is actually a really good technique to bring your concentration and focus away from your fears and instead take notice of what is really going on around you. List five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. Just don’t let any of these be your symptoms!

Relax

It sounds pretty stupid. After all, if you were able to relax the thought of running into someone you know and having to say “hello” wouldn’t make you too scared to leave the house. But instead of trying to relax your whole body, try to relax just one body part. It could be as small as a finger, but being able to relax even a small part of your body will help you realize you can be in control - and that the attack will end.

Listen to a Waltz

Music with a “triple metre” like a waltz is proven to subconsciously promote relaxation. Put together a playlist of waltzes for when you feel the early symptoms of a panic attack, or simply commit to memory a few bars that you can run through your head when your phone or iPod isn’t available.

Accept what is happening

The worst thing that will happen to you is already happening to you. While it’s a far cry from inspirational (it’s much closer to morbid really), the truth is the fear that you feel during your panic attack is as bad as it gets. You’ve had panic attacks before. You know that they eventually end. As horrible and uncomfortable as they are, they will go away. 

If you think you may have a panic or anxiety disorder, it is important to seek professional help . There are more permanent techniques with long term or temporary modalities along with therapies to decrease anxieties, gain coping skills and eliminate the attacks. Feel free to comment below how you have taken back control of your attacks.

Featured Heal

7:14:00 PM

If you read health magazines, you’d be forgiven for thinking the devil had changed his name to Carbohydrates.  Many people are attempting to avoid carbs completely in the belief that they’re being healthy. While it’s definitely not good for us to eat a lot of simple carbs, the truth is that our body needs carbs in order to function. It’s possible to get plenty of this macro nutrient from foods other than cereals and grains (hello vegetables and beans!) but I think we can all agree that a life without pizza and pasta is a very boring life indeed.

If you find that you often berate yourself for eating carbs, or feel like you’re “cheating” on your diet whenever you do, you need to read the below tips pronto!

All the veggies!

The best thing you can do to improve your carb heavy meal is adding vegetables . It could be as simple as using fresh tomato on top of your pizza instead of tomato paste , Adding vegetables and  increases the nutrition content of the meal and is likely to fill you up quicker.

Fall in love with sides

Sometimes nothing will satisfy your cravings like a slice or two of ‘dirty’ pizza and adding vegetables to it will ruin its cheesy gloriousness. If that’s the case, prepare some side dishes to have with the meal that are vegetable or protein rich. Again, this will stop you eating as much of the grains that aren’t so good for us and round out the meal to be more nutritionally balanced.

Choose complexity

Those people who constantly bang on about whole grains have a point. They’re much better for us as they include more nutrients than refined grains and help us feel full quicker. If you have the option choose brown rice and whole grain breads, pastas and flours. The new taste and texture can take a while to get used to, but when you’re palate has adjusted you’ll be wondering how you ever lived without the yummy nuttiness of brown rice.

Eat earlier

Worried that consuming carbs goes hand in hand with eating excess calories? If definitely doesn’t have to be the case, but for a little extra peace of mind try to eat earlier. This will give your body more time to use the calories consumed before dropping off to sleep. If the carbs you’ve eaten are simple carbs this is especially important as if the energy they provide is quickly released.

Buy better quality

Sometimes the biggest problem with the carb heavy foods we eat is what else goes into them. Have you ever compared the nutrition and ingredient labels on a cheap loaf of bread and an expensive one? The additional ingredients put in a cheap loaf of bread is a whole world of scary - from sugar and vinegar to bleached flour and dyes. It’s important to note that “more expensive” doesn’t necessarily mean “better quality”. If you’re having trouble finding bread devoid of those extra nasties try going to a bakery instead of the supermarket.

Enjoy your food

The best tip of all! Its a mantra in the Enjoying The Art Of Living reset. If you decide to indulge in some simple carbs and don’t want to take any of the advice above that’s completely okay. Just make it worth it. Savoir each bite and really enjoy your food. At the end of the meal, if you notice the feeling of guilt creeping in, arrest that thought and remind yourself that you chose to give yourself a treat. It’s important to not try to justify it though - don’t think to yourself that you deserve it because you had a bad day or because you went to the gym every day this week. Those thoughts only contribute to the feeling of guilt when you choose to eat carbs next time. Simply tell yourself that you enjoyed yourself and you have nothing to feel ashamed or guilty about. 


If you want to learn more about the Enjoying the Art of Living Reset click and subscribe to our newsletter,  go to our weight loss page,  and read about our scientifically proven cell rejuvenation.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

 

6:44:00 PM

While you should show your appreciation to your mother every day of the week, Mother’s Day is an excellent day to crank up your gratitude to 110%. Of course, with the day fast approaching, it’s time you start planning that special day for a mom or wife in your life. What better way to start off the day than a delicious brunch in New York City? Below are some of the best brunch spots in the city. Just be sure to reserve spaces ahead of time (if you can) because all of these restaurants will likely be packed.

Hudson Garden Grill – New York Botanical Gardens

Grab a bite to eat before exploring the beautifully sculpted gardens. Run by STARR restaurants, Hudson Garden Grill provides a scrumptious dining experience whether you choose the a la carte or brunch menu options. Beautifully situated to provide the best stunning views of the garden, you can enjoy the food while drinking in the scenery. The menu provides elevated American fare so it’s great for children and foodies alike.

New York Botanical Gardens

Ai Fiori

If you want something a bit more engaging, bring the special woman in your life to Ai Fiori. Not only will you be able to dine on dishes from one of the most sought after chefs in New York City – Michael White – you can also learn some floral arranging at the same time. Classes are at 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm. Lucky for you each come with a three-course prix-fixe meal and wine pairing. While the cost might seem a bit much, you’re essentially getting two activities in one!

400 Fifth Avenue

Prune

It might be small, but this beloved spot has fans for a reason – the food is just that good. Lucky for you on Mother’s Day they do accept reservations so make sure to scoop one up before it’s too late. This is a perfect option if you’re looking for a more low-key affair, but still want the same high-quality ingredients and menu items. There’s no fancy plating or gastronomical surprises here, but that’s what gives it that nice homey atmosphere. Come here for the eggs benedict and leave with a full stomach and hopefully a smile on your face.

54 East 1^st Street

The Grand Victorian Tea Party

If your wife, mother or mother-in-law has an interest in the Victorian Era, this event might be the perfect option. As the name suggests, the event offers a throwback Victorian garden party with everything that comes with it such as finger sandwiches, scones and garden games. The event actually takes place at the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden a lovely Victorian carriage house built in 1799. Of course, you also need to come properly dressed in Victorian era clothing though they do offer a Pinterest board for some inspiration.

421 East 61^st Street

Momofuku Ko

If you eschew the traditional brunch menu items, but still want to treat your mom or wife then Momofuku Ko is an excellent choice. Normally closed on Sundays, the restaurant will offer a special lunch and dinner offering. As per usual, there is no menu so the meal you eat will be entirely unique to this day. Make sure to alert the kitchen of any food allergies prior to arrival so they can accommodate. At first, not being able to order exactly what you want might seem limiting, but once the exquisite dishes come out, you’ll realize there’s a freedom in simply savoring the food without worry.

8 Extra Pl

Ivan Ramen

For the ladies in your life that love ramen, this is the place to go. Chef Ivan Orkin mastered the art of ramen making in Japan and took that knowledge back to America. The bulk of his menu focuses on more traditional ramen flavors such as miso, shio (salt) and more. However, for his brunch menu he offers a new take on it by combining Japanese items with brunch sensibilities. Items like the breakfast ramen comes with dashi-Cheddar broth and sake mimosas.

Le Pif

This cozy French spot is sure to impress your mom not just with the rustic décor, but the mouth-watering menu as well. While first-and-foremost a wine bar, Le Pif offers some delectable morsels for Mother’s Day brunch. You can choose from the a la carte menu for the ever popular croquet madame and monsieur. Or if you’re feeling hungry go for the classic breakfast. While they haven’t released a special Mother’s Day menu as of yet, it’s a good idea to give them a call to see if they are offering anything special as previous years they  have offered bottomless brunches.

  

Live

11:03:00 AM

Mindful meditation has gained popularity in recent years and it’s no wonder, as even a 10 minute a day mindful meditation practice can transform your body, your mind and your life. Mindful meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, and is simply the process of bringing one's awareness to the internal and external experiences occurring in the present moment. Mindfulness is a skill that is developed through the practice of focusing your mind on the experience of the present moment that will leave you calm, grounded and feeling more connected to the people and the world around you.

For thousands of years’ people who meditate have shared their amazing stories of how their lives have changed because of their practice and now science is telling us why it works. Research shows that the practice of mindfulness is strongly associated with greater well-being and improved health, specifically decreased stress, decreased depression, pain, anxiety, and insomnia, all while increasing quality of life. Meditation makes you calmer and better able to handle difficult situations, as meditation is the work of training your mind to respond from a place of clarity instead of reacting to everything that is going on around you.

What Does Mindful Meditation Do to My Mind and Body?

A 2016 Harvard University study found that people who meditate have an increased amount of gray matter in the auditory and sensory cortex. Mindfulness trains your brain to pay attention to your breathing and to the present experience, which enhances your senses while shutting cognition down. More gray matter in the frontal cortex, is associated with increases in working memory and executive decision making. The best thing about this study was that increased grey matter, enhanced senses, mental clarity, less stress, less anxiety and less depression were found in people who had meditated for years and in people who had meditated for as little as 8 weeks.

The Harvard Study found that mediating literally changes the brain and the brain stem, most notably by strengthening the PONS, the area of the brain responsible for producing regulatory neurotransmitters as well as the left hippocampus which is responsible for learning, cognition, memory and emotional regulation, the TPJ which is associated with perspective taking, empathy and compassion and by shrinking the amygdala, the fight or flight part of the brain, which is the central hub for anxiety, fear and stress in general.

So the research shows us clearly that a mindful meditation practice has an impact on our minds, but how does this transfer to our body? The answer is simple; by developing body and self- awareness and learning to regulate emotion and attention, we make better decisions for ourselves and reduce harmful stress hormones. Through meditation you will learn how many mindless things you do and you’ll start to change your habits when you bring more attention to how you live your life. As mindful meditation increases our capacity to deal with emotions and make better decisions we begin to reduce stress. When you reduce stress and stress hormones you reduce your risk of inflammation based diseases like cardiovascular disease, you lower your blood pressure and boost your immune system as your body is not constantly overloaded dealing with stress and stress hormones. With less stress you are calmer at the end of the day and can fall asleep easier allowing your body to rest properly which gives you more energy, and so it goes.

How You Do It

In mediation circles a funny joke about meditation is; ‘Don't just do something, sit there,’ and that is exactly how you begin to meditate. You begin mindful meditation by sitting on the floor or in a chair. If you are new to meditation I recommend that you sit inside in a peaceful spot until you are comfortable keeping your awareness on your breath for 10 minutes, as it can be easy to lose focus in a busy setting or outside with a view, a breeze, a fly or the sun. Set a timer for 10 minutes and begin. You’ll want to maintain an upright posture, close your eyes and focus your attention on the experience of your breath moving in, through and out of your body, overtime you can expand your attention to your whole body and to the sounds and smells in the room. Don’t try to change the rhythm of your breath and don't judge your breath, simply notice what your breath feels like. You can place your hands on the tops of your thighs with the palms facing up with the middle finger and thumb touching or you can place them on your legs or on your abdomen to physically connect with the movement of your breath.

Every time you notice that you are thinking that the timer is broken, or about your to do list, or about how you need to scratch an itch or stretch your legs, simply bring your awareness back to your breath. When you notice yourself following thoughts about your life, just let the thought go, with the acknowledgement that you are not your thoughts and bring your attention back to your breath. It’s common to feel frustrated when you begin a mindful meditation practice as we often judge how well we think we are doing by how comfortable we feel in the practice, but that isn’t how mindful meditation works. Initially mindful meditation will not be comfortable and you may find yourself resistant to maintain a regular and consistent practice which is a clear indication that you need to meditate. When you begin meditating the 10 minutes will feel like an hour and you may find yourself redirecting your attention to your breath every other breath, but that is how you develop mindfulness, by realizing the experience of time and by training your mind to stay calm and focus. Meditating is hard work, but over time it will become easier. You will begin to feel the benefits of mindful mediation very quickly, within just a few sessions and it will make you feel better and improve your health in as little as 8 weeks.

As you begin your experience with meditation, please be sure to share your stories and your tips to make mindful meditation practice better in the comments below.

   

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

 

Featured Grow

6:16:00 PM

If you’re like me, creating a detailed new plan for how you’ll overhaul your diet, organization, workflow, relationships or your workouts is addicting. You journal all of the changes you can’t wait to make and pour over articles, books and blog posts fleshing things out. Then, you’re gung-ho for a few days … and then, inevitably, you get totally sidetracked by a shiny new something to overhaul. 

But you don’t have to find yourself constantly starting and quitting, or changing and petering out - there’s a better way. Recently I realized my overhauls all failed for the same reason: my motivation was all wrong. Let me give a few examples:

What do all these statements have in common?

• I really should be running. Runners have great bodies. I hate running, but skinny people run. I should do it.
• I probably eat way too much meat … and carbs. I should be eating more vegetables. Right now I eat nowhere near enough.
• My home should be clean and organized - nothing out of place. That’s the goal now.

And now, these statements?

• A 20 minute, all-out solo dance party sounds SO fun. After I dance, I always feel brighter and more relaxed.  
• Every time I eat a meal with a generous portion of veggies, I feel light and energized! And proud of myself! My skin even looks clearer and more hydrated after I’ve been eating well. 
• Having a home that’s peaceful and constantly ready to be used is one more way I can show my family my love.

In the first batch of statements, the motivation was guilt-based, should-laden and chokingly full of pressures from the outside. In the second batch of statements, each potential positive change sprang from a positive emotion. The very same behaviors (moving, eating well, cleaning) transformed from drudgery to joys.

Here’s three simple keys to using the "internal motivation" technique to transform your own life:

1.  De-sexify bad behavior

We’re not dummies. We keep our bad habits because they give us something. Often we get comfort, pleasure, escape or connection from our bad habits. But the key to ditching them (and I’m stealing from Tony Robbins here) is to associate those bad habits with their actual, bad outcomes. Instead of thinking sunshine and rainbows when you think of sugar-coated-non-food-junk-food, start to associating fake-food with the low energy, bad skin, unwanted pounds and the icky feeling that come after. 

2.  Be honest with yourself

If you’re not a runner and don’t even want to be, that’s okay! Be honest with yourself that no matter how long you beat your head against the wall, you won’t find running exciting. Instead, recognize that there’s more than one way to move your body, and then experiment until you find the one (like dancing) that sounds like a blast to you.

3.  Think instant gratification

The key to sticking to your life change is to get instant pleasure from your new behaviors. This is how you can trick your brain into wanting to do the good thing again and again. One trick that I love is to pull up articles on the nutritional benefits of the healthy food I'm folding into my diet, and read them while I’m eating the yummy, healthy stuff. I’m always so blown away by the healing properties of food. I get a built-in happy feeling from knowing that I’m caring for my body so well. 

Or how about this one: I only watch YouTube videos while working out. When I come across a video I’d love to watch, I save it for later and watch it while doing squats, burpees or circuit training. Working out while YouTube-ing is the perfect excuse to let yourself indulge in a YouTube spiral. Once you’re too tired to work out anymore, press pause on the videos until next time!

Hope these tips help. Here’s to finding the happy in the stuff that’s good for us!

Eat Featured Grow Live

7:32:00 PM

Many trendy weight loss regimens have come and gone, proving to be nothing more than just a flash-in-the-pan. However, with each passing craze, more research and results derive from the success, and ultimately, the fizzling out of diet plans. As studies have evolved, they have started to point to one key component that will not only have you shedding weight, but will result in you feeling like a younger and healthier person. That key to weight loss is cell rejuvenation.

Rejuvenation is as refreshing as it sounds. You are getting rid of dead and impaired cells within your body, and replenishing them with new ones full of oxygen and life. This will give your organs and your immune system a little extra boost, as well as provide your skin with an added glow.

This sounds absolutely amazing, but how do we rejuvenate our cells? Your cells get a new take on life through caloric restriction. The human race in general usually eats far beyond the 2,000-2,500 calories we should intake daily. So, the first step to losing weight is to cut back on the calories. A lot of these trendy weight loss regimens will attest to that.

However, what sets this diet apart from all the other weight loss remedies out there is that in order to get the rejuvenation going, you need to not just cut back on the calories. You need to slice it in half.

Todd Morgan, PhD, ,a leader in intermittent fasting, conducted research  through the University of Southern California (USC) on cell rejuvenation. The reports indicated that  when eating under 1,000 calories for a day 5 days in a row, your body instinctively prepares for famine. I know that sounds insane, but your body has a sufficient amount of fat and fiber to hold you over. Remember, we’ve been getting too much all along!

During this fasting-like process, your body begins to eliminate any dysfunctional or damaged cells. That means that this form of caloric restriction evacuates the cells that no longer metabolize fats, while simultaneously regulating the production of anti-hunger hormones. Cells that are also insulin resistant that have been damaged by blood sugar spikes are ditched as well.

Once you hit Day 6, start eating and don’t binge! That’s a whole different eating issue for a different article. Enjoy what you eat, but try to pick nutritious, whole foods. Give your new cells the nutrients they deserve!

Your newly rejuvenated cells will assist your body in metabolizing fats much better. Body weight will shed faster, hunger control hormones will function properly, and you will be able to convert more sugar into energy, carrying less ab fat.

Cell rejuvenation also aids in ant-aging properties. According to Valter Longo, PhD., director of the Longevity Institute of USC, he refers to rejuvenation as “reprogramming the cells.” The director stated in a study that the rejuvenated cells protect the immune system by starving free radicals and cancerous cells. Cell rejuvenation also strengthens the white T-cell count, fighting off toxic damage caused by chemotherapy.

Longo conducted even more studies and found that participants in his cell rejuvenation studies lost weight without losing their muscle. He also noted that their risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer all decreased.

Now that Day 6 is upon us and the eating has commenced, what’s next?

We offer what no other lifestyle has to date. 21 days of enjoying the Art of Living. Our commitment extends beyond your 5 day fast. You will be creating your new art of living and eating…and be excited and smiling…no more “I will start tomorrow”. You will welcome the accountability for those new cells, I promise.  Become a member of a community that can get you through…and yes we will encourage you to try new approaches and new things …absolutely! We piece it all together in 20 days recipes, lifestyle tips, education nuggets…and the pay offs will be big unlike your new body.

In closing, the most gleaming question is why then don't restricted calories work ? The answer is two fold. when one restricts calories, too often the food choices made are loaded with artificial substances the human genome has no abilities to dispense with. These toxins keep the cells living in a polluted environment. (i.e, processed foods and sweeteners.  Two, the human body always tries to maintain homeostasis. When you restrict for too long a period , the body slows its metabolism in an effort to meet the challenges of survival.  Initial weight loss and eventually weight gain gain is the final result. Restriction is not sustainable.

If you want real change, positive change, lasting change, join us at the Art of Living. DON'T sacrifice the pleasures in your life...science is proving it is not necessary. Understanding and resetting is. We ETAOL are certified nutritionist and lifestyle coaches with a hunger for life and food. We embrase it not restrict it. Its not a quick fix., but it works. We have worked with hundreds just like you, with stunning success. People have tried other plans, but with little guidelines after the reset period gave them little success. Our community keeps you accountable, make it fun and keeps it real! We want to reconnect you to your health and your happiness.


If this is something you think is you you contact us for private, group or Skype consultations to start your reset. Sign up for our free membership for more info and the not to miss launch of our online program of our plan.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

8:47:00 AM

Easter signifies the ending of winter and is a wonderful time to celebrate and host a fun brunch with your loved ones. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs closest to March 21st and is a celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead, following crucifixion. The resurrection of Christ represents the triumph of good over sin, evil, and death. Easter is a Christian Holiday that has been observed for thousands of years and marks the end of Lent, Holy Week and is the last day of the Easter Triduum, which is Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

 As the holiday is usually very close to the Spring equinox, it is a wonderful time to bring color back to the world as you celebrate and revitalize your faith and spirituality with family and close friends. Easter traditions vary from culture to culture but many of the main themes remain: rebirth, not only of Christ but also of the natural world, celebration of faith and a feast to enjoy with loved ones. Hosting an Easter brunch allows you to share time with special people in your life while also allowing time for morning church services and afternoon egg hunts.

Getting Started

Planning an event has a tendency to create stress, especially if it isn’t something you do very frequently, so it’s best to plan the event and break the work up into smaller manageable tasks.

To plan an Easter brunch you’ll need to:

Create a Guest List & Send Invitations
Create a Tablescape
Plan Your Menu Host

Your Event Planning ahead allows you to not only stay within a budget, but also to have fun and be creative with your invitations, your tablescape and decorations. The colors of Easter are bright yellow and a wide palette of beautiful pastels, that all coordinate well with each other and create a cheery mood to celebrate.



Create a Guest List & Send Invitations 
Before you plan any part of the event, you’ll need to create a guest list, so you know how many people you will be hosting. Your invitations will set the tone for the type of brunch you’d like to host as well, whether it is casual or more formal. There are all kinds of invitations you can buy or you can DIY. You can also use an online template to create a beautiful invite that is a blend of printing and personal if you don’t feel especially crafty. Make sure you let your guests know if you expect them to wear festive attire and to RSVP. Ask for the RSVP on a specific date before the event so you know how much food to prepare and have seating for everyone. These casual yet crafty invites are easy to create and are available at Martha Stewart 

Create a Tablescape

Creating the table for your brunch allows you to be creative and if you plan ahead you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a truly gorgeous tablescape. Depending on the weather you may choose to dine outside or inside and your tablescape should play off the elements of your setting. You can be as simple or creative as you feel comfortable with and have the time for.

Table Cloth

How you dress your table sets the mood for all the other items you’ll place on the table. Your tablescape should reflect the style in your invitation as well and should be set up to work well with the foods and drink that you serve. You can use a simple elegant white table cloth like one from Room For Tuesday.

You can also add more color and dimension to the table by layering a colored tablecloth, with placemats and napkins like this tablescape at Dining Delight. 

Flowers

Flowers bring a tablescape to life and add their beautiful aroma to the room. When choosing flowers, remember that you can use live or potted plants and greens as well. While bouquets are great you can also make a beautiful flower setting with a single bloom, like these gorgeous peonies from Country Living 

 Or even use fresh spring herbs and garden vegetables like this one from Better Homes and Gardens.

 You can add more color to your vase by filling it with candy, like this fun colorful arrangement by She Knows.

 Dishware

The dishware you use can be one style or a blend of colors and patterns. The type of dishware and how much you place on the table is determined both by the look you are going for and how big your table is. You'll want to add cleaned and pressed napkins and cutlery to each setting and remember to add polished glasses for water and drinks.

This dishware setting from the Domestic Curator blends different colors and style for a fun festive look.

Using a simple dishware set-up, with smaller mason jars, can look just as elegant and festive as more colorful settings, like this setting form Pepper Design.

Gift

                                                       

You can also place a gift for your guests on the table. The gift should be spring inspired and could include a small flower bouquet or plant, a candle or even a hand decorated egg.

 The Meal

 Planning a brunch can be very fun as you can choose a mix of foods. The bonus of hosting a brunch is that with a properly planned menu, you won’t be spending time in the kitchen, you will be able to spend time with your guests. You can enjoy classic and delicious egg dishes, scones, savory meats, and so much more at brunch. Brunch foods don’t have to be served hot or made to order and I’ve put together 2 simple menus one more breakfast and one more lunch, to give you some ideas. Remember you’ll have more fun if you make foods that you like and use simple easy recipes.


Breakfast Brunch Menu

Fresh Fruit
Pastries
Egg Muffins
Mini Bagels & Bagel Bar


This menu couldn’t be more simple or delicious. For this menu I recommend using a blend of fresh seasonal fruit, either in a bowl or on a large platter, my recipe below for egg muffins and a box of pastries from your favorite bakery.

If you are in the mood for baking, try making scones and serve them with farm butter, whipped cream honey or jam. I like this recipe from Martha Stewart for Mummy’s Sweet White Scones.

My recipe for egg muffins are below. You can always a side of savory meat such as bacon, sausage or ham if you want to make the meal more substantial. You can double or triple the recipe, or instead of muffins, pour in mixture into a pie pan for a crust less quiche.


Egg Muffins
Makes 6-8

 6 eggs, beaten
 ½ cup goat cheese
2 cups mixed vegetables, diced (red bell peppers & spinach)
1 tablespoon mixed herbs, chopped (basil, oregano, dill, thyme, tarragon)
salt and pepper
pinch of cayenne
oil for the muffin pans

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly oil a muffin pan. Whisk together the eggs, add the vegetables, herbs and seasonings. Fill muffin tins ¾’s full and place a dollop of goat cheese in each muffin. Bake in the oven for 14-16 minutes until the eggs are set.

Depending on how many guest you are serving, this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. You can also use this recipe to make a crust-less quiche, simply by pouring the egg mixture into a pie pan.

Simple Bites has a wonderful example of a DIY bagel bar. I would use mini bagels instead of full size for Easter Brunch.

                                           

Lunch Brunch Menu

For the lunch brunch you can still have savory and sweet, but with a few twists.

Spinach Strawberry Salad
Pasta Carbonara
Sweet & Hot Plum Glazed Ham
Yellow Butter Cupcakes


Let's start with the spinach salad

Spinach Strawberry Salad

Serves 6-8

8 Cups of Baby Spinach

½ Cup Red Onion Thinly Sliced

¾ Cup Sunflower Seeds, Roasted and Salted

2 Cups Strawberries, Sliced

¾ cup of crumbled feta cheese

Juice of 1 Lemon

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Salt and fresh cracked Pepper to Taste.

This is one of the easiest salads to make and it is so pretty, simply layer all the ingredients on a large platter (you can do this before your guests arrive) Drizzle the Olive Oil and Lemon Juice over the top, add Salt and Pepper just before serving.

Pasta Carbonara is a creamy and decadent and WHO doesn't love pasta and bacon?? YUM!

Easter just would not be complete without  an Easter ham.  Sweet-Hot Plum Glazed Ham is a great choice if you are looking for a unique home made glaze.


Yellow Butter Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Frosting

Bake these cupcakes the day before, frost and decorate in the morning for a fun and festive sweet treat.

Drinks and Eye Openers

No celebration is complete without having a special drink to make a toast. In addition to some store bought or homemade infused water pitchers , ice teas , and lemonades ,  Drinks can be a little more colorful and creative to really kick your brunch off to a bright and classy start.


Here are some of our very own eye openers to toast an Easter gathering.

                                 
This Bloody Mary is perfect for a breakfast brunch!

 Strawberry Blueberry Sangria is not only easy it’s pretty and it tastes great.

Easter is a time of rejoice and family , no matter how you celebrate or food you serve. Have fun, make it your own, and enjoy your company, enjoy celebrating and enjoy your art of living.

Live

7:37:00 PM