hira: still mesmerized

location: back home in torino

thanks for keeping the baby blog well-fed, alive and well while i was gone to the italian riviera darling---looking at that photo of us from last spring makes me miss you, the many cups of coffee we have shared together, and the comfort of having you close. thankfully, this blog keeps us more connected than ever--in your memory, i wear those scarves more than one should wear any article of clothing and order many espressi con panna.

i am extraordinarily blessed to be able to experience such a beautiful land and even more blessed with an able and strong body to hike, climb, and run through the mountains, towns and beaches. i completed my journey to santa margherita in increments, stopping along the way to explore the main port city in the north, Genoa. touring the city center took me to open markets, historic churches, royal residency, and panoramic views of the city and harbor..

i had to utilize enormous amounts of willpower to refrain from purchasing everything i saw--it was just all so me--homemade jams, old books and records, prints and paintings. thankfully simona (our amazing program assistant) pulled me away to go look at even prettier things.

we made our way to santa margherita, about an hour from genoa and our home for the next three days---arriving to the coastal town (SMALL town), we check into a quaint little hotel that is located about 3 minutes from the coast--perfect. valeria, sarah and i spent the rest of the day walking around, up and down the streets of santa margherita--stumbling upon little shopping boutiques (because really, we both know that a vacation is incomplete without some shopping), french provincial cafes, ocean-view restaurants, and plenty of gelaterrias (surprise, no?). the liguria region of italia is known for its pesto, focaccia, and seafood. so thats pretty much what i ate over the next few days--lots of cinnamon and yogurt gelato (better than GROM, dare i say?), homemade pizza with capers and anchovies, mussels, shrimp, and pesto focaccia. usually consumed on the beach, standing around in narrow streets, or sitting and facing the crashing mediterranean waves.

i enjoyed many pear and apple almond cakes, berry custard tarts, tiramisus, and caffe. balanced with lots of walking and climbing stairs, hills, and mountains. initially, i felt guilty for 'over-indulging', but then i just shut myself up and enjoyed every bite and every hill. i'm convinced those desserts gave me the energy to hike the cinque terre. people say that the cinque terre is the most beautiful part of italia--i have no doubt. five villages/towns lines the coast along cliffs and mountains--one can either take a train from town to town, or one can choose to hike along the mountains. a bit strenuous because the 'trail' is a constant up and down, up and down; a bit intimidating because the hiking paths line the edge of the mountains and cliffs, a quick glance down can cause one to, at the very least, stumble over the breathtaking beauty and the direct drop down to the sea.

much like yourself, i have been completing HIIT workouts here, 30 minute intervals of running and lots of walking, yoga and stair workouts unknowingly prepared me for a weekend of running around without being the slightest bit sore afterwards. success.

each town brought something new to be discovered--different people--welcoming us with with open arms, nourishment with fruits, lots of water, and coffees, as well as breathtaking views of pastel-colored houses lining the coast and dotting the cliffs,and a lavish history, pride and culture.





paradise. the views, the company, the experience. we will come here together one day.

this week's challenges: keep drinking that water. clean week, italia version: consists of less sweets, more protein. thinking of creative ways to transition my workouts to adapt to the colder weather. i haven't joined a gym yet, forcing myself to take advantage of my surroundings and build strength in my legs. more stair workouts.

current obsessions: relearning spanish. maroon. grill marks on my bread and vegetables. bringing back braids and incorporating them into hairstyles. chic winter wear. vespas.

elyssa: clean week, version 2.0

location: toronto

wondering where you are. the things you've seen. the places you've been. the food you're eating. italy seems both exotic and familiar. maybe that's because i'm writing this sitting in my favorite italian cafe.

fancy coffee day with the law school girls - a weekly tradition

at l'espresso bar mercurio.

remember when we went there together?

don't worry, in your absence, i'll keep our baby blog alive.

the boy and i had a momentous weekend. on sunday, we hunkered down for 'planning day'. we sifted through our hopes, dreams, and fears for the next 12 months. it was terrifying, but ultimately - rewarding. the day began with muffins - recipe from nutrition nut on the run:

the warmth of pumpkin filled the entire apartment.

and ended with pizza. the boy really enjoyed the 'build your own' aspect :)

girl's pizza: whole foods spelt crust. garlic and thyme infused olive oil. goat gouda. spinach. figs.

boy's pizza: portabello. bell pepper. mozzarella. homemade marinara.

turns out i'm a vegan that eats eggs, goat dairy, and sushi (on a regular basis) - and cream, meat, and poultry (on rare occasion). so, not a vegan - but yea, that's how i choose to self-identify because most of the time i eat like this:

pea and spinach soup from fall soup frenzy I

chia wheat-free bread with nutritional yeast

grilled tofu. homemade marinara. wilted spinach. goat gouda.

planning day was definitely food-heavy - but calories don't seem to factor in on those very special days when the air outside is cold and damp, and inside the mood is warm and happy - cocooned by love.

homemade pumpkin latte.

almond milk. vanilla. dollop of pumpkin - gently heated.

mixed with espresso. more almond milk. foam. cinnamon.

days like that make me feel like this:

thomas kinkade: a cheesy favorite.

new challenge:

thanksgiving (canadian) is around the corner, and seeing that it's the beginning of a new month - i declare this clean week. this clean week is different from the previous incarnation. this week i'm focusing on mindful eating and minimal splurges - without extracting the little pleasures that bring me so much joy in my day to day eating. if i want to drown my breakfast souffle in agave in the morning, so be it. i'm just trying to make sure it all evens out at the end of the day.

i'm happy to report that we're 1 month into school and i'm still maintaining a strong exercise regime. i took a moment to compare my exercise schedule from last september (2009) - and i definitely wasn't hitting up the gym nearly as much as i am now. for my overall health and mental alertness, i do best when i exercise 6 days a week. some days include a rigorous kickboxing session, other just a long drawn out yoga practice - but i need to get my blood flowing each of those 6 days. on the 7th, i rest. completely rest.

september success.

the elliptical as of late has looked unappealing and just all around boring - so i've been incorporating more high intensity interval training (HIIT). i can do this on the treadmill at home, or at the gym. with music, or without. with tv, or without. it just comes naturally, and offers tremendous stress relief. 30 mins total. lately i've preferred 1 minute intervals - 1 of rest. the following as fast as my legs will take me. you look like a maniac that can't sustain a normal running pace for the life of them - but the time passes quickly, and the workout is effective.

current obsessions:

making a huge slow, slow cooked batch of homemade marinara. kidney bean corn soup. yoga with friends. coffee from the french press.

elyssa: the perfect friday

location: toronto

just stopping by to say hello and recount my splendid day. today marks my 2 year anniversary living in my little apartment in the heart of downtown toronto. i can't believe how fast the time has passed.

it was the view that sold me.

but it's the little things that make it home.

anthropologie cabinet knobs (a gift from the boy).

october started off right with an orange monster:

run to your kitchen and make this now: half frozen banana. half cup pumpkin. almond milk. protein powder. tad vanilla extract.

cessy approves.

and yes, i've taken to freezing my bananas (mainly so people dont eat them all when they come over..)

whole foods had a sale on pumpkin!

not the grocery store shelf, but my own pantry.

peppers at a bargain as well.

dal as promised - thrown on a piece of kamut bread.

the air was brisk and cool, so after morning yoga and church —> i put my homework aside and went shopping for new workout clothes.

from the gap: gfast capris + fit tanks in various colors. thank you 30% off coupon - AND from roots: tara tank and what i now believe to be the greatest shirt ever: the batwing top. thus ends my quest for class-friendly gym wear.

a stopover at winners for a discount yoga towel like this one.

last but not least, new boots - the nine west tierney. 30% off. yay.

finishing off the evening with sushi and gossip girl reruns before it's back to the books.

the sushi restaurant down the street from my house is my life. it's the boy and i's go to place - we've been there 100s of times in the 2 short years i've lived here - mostly at 1 am for only a roll or a shared miso soup. if ever i could hope to be recognized as a 'regular', it would be at sushi inn - my 2nd home.

next week is going to be clean week, version 2.0. more on that to come. for now, i'm excited to go do some HIIT downstairs on the treadmill and break in my new workout clothes.

current obsessions: traveling (paris, all of a sudden?). kidney beans. deciding what to do for tomorrow's nuit blanche. regular coffee (i know).