The Saturday yum!

Help us out by bringing something yummy to share!

For more information about Nicaragua 2011, please click here.

Simply Raw...

Check it out...

Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days is an independent documentary film that chronicles six Americans with 'incurable' diabetes switching their diet and getting off insulin.

The film follows each participant's remarkable journey and captures the medical, physical, and emotional transformations brought on by this diet and lifestyle change. We witness moments of struggle, support, and hope as what is revealed, with startling clarity, is that diet can reverse diabetes and change lives.

All Bamboo Labour Day Retreat!

click to enlarge.

Green-up with Inhabitat!

Join us this weekend and go green with Inhabitat, The Lower East Side Ecology Center, and the Hester Street Fair! If you’ve been trying to go green and clean out your closets of old clothes and electronics — now is the weekend to do it! Head on over to the Hester Street Fair, where awesome green community organization The Lower East Side Ecology Center will be collecting and recycling anything and everything you want to get rid of: compostables, clothing, old electronics, toys and books, etc. And if that weren’t enticing enough, the Inhabiat crew will have a booth at the Hester Street Fair with seed bombs, vegan cupcakes and awesome eco inhabiwear. Come join us this weekend to mingle, recycle stuff and talk green in the LES this weekend. Hope to see you there!

Vegan/Raw Dessert class at Organic Village

For those of you who have gone vegan/raw for the Veggie Challenge and are looking for new ways to enjoy dessert, Organic Village is hosting a raw/vegan dessert class, Friday July 23rd and Sunday July 25th. Classes begin at 5pm, cost $50, and are limited to 12 participants per session. Diego will teach everyone to make key lime pie, chocolate pudding, raw cookies, Irish moss parfaits, and ice cream.

Call Organic Village during regular business hours to reserve your spot; it is first come first serve.

Tasty treats without the meat...

From today's Metro:

Summer is the time for delicious foods that can pack a punch while keeping things on the lighter side. What better place to look for some fresh ideas than two new veggie cookbooks? Raw foodie Ani Phyo and vegan Terry Romero introduce cuisine hot off the presses.

Who’s that lady?
Raw food chef Ani Phyo. The 42-year-old was voted “sexiest raw food chef” in 2008 and 2009 and has also authored “Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen” and “Ani’s Raw Food Desserts.”

The scoop:
“I like to emphasize to people that they don’t have to be extreme,” says Phyo. “You can add fruits and vegetables and more fresh, whole foods to any diet. Plus, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds are all packed with antioxidants to combat free-radical damage and slow the signs of aging.”

Favorite recipe:
Pad Thai with kelp noodles*. “Kelp noodles are made from a sea vegetable that’s packed with minerals. High in iodine, they help regulate our thyroid to balance metabolism.”

On-the-go tip:
“I take sheets of Nori with me, which can add flavor to a salad or plump up in water for a snack,” says Phyo.

*Click here for pad thai with kelp noodles recipe.

Who’s that lady?
Vegan chef Terry Romero. The 37-year-old Queens resident co-hosted the vegan cooking show “Post Punk Kitchen” and is a columnist for VegNews. She also co-authored “Veganomicon,” “Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World” and “Vegan Cookies Invade your Cookie Jar.”

The scoop:
“Viva Vegan,” Romero’s first solo cookbook, audaciously ventures meat-and-cheese-lessly into the heart of Latin American cooking—and brings you 200 vibrant recipes that don’t skimp on taste or authenticity.

Her philosophy:
“So many elements of Latin American cooking are naturally vegan,” says Romero. “You have beans, rice and an abundance of fresh vegetables, like corn, chili peppers and squash, and there’s so many fruits. You can get the whole spirit, texture and flavors of Latin food very easily without the meat.”

Favorite recipe:
The creamy corn-filled empanada*. “It’s really great, especially now with all the summer corn coming in,” says Romero.

On-the-go tip:
“At Latin American restaurants, find out if they use lard in their beans, and see if they use chicken broth in the rice,” advises Romero.

*Click here for creamy corn-filled empanada recipe.

Otarian!

logo from Otarian website.
Last year I participated in a food focus group for a not yet opened, sustainable, healthy, fast food restaurant chain; the food was good and the concept was appealing. Fast forward a year or so... Otarian, a vegetarian restaurant chain, is now open. With two locations in New York and two in London, they are the first ever low carbon restaurant chain and almost everything in each location is made from recycled materials. They pride themselves on using as few resources as possible and strive for social sustainability as well.

Their menu consists of soups, salads, flatbreads, wraps, and desserts, all vegetarian and all delicious. The food has no meat (poultry, fish, seafood), eggs, insects, "animal bits and pieces," such as rennet or gelatin, and they have a few gluten free options.

Next time you are in Manhattan, check them out... they have a location at 154 Bleeker and one at 947 8th ave (at 56th st).

To promote healthy, conscious eating, Otarian offers the Carbon Karma card, on which you can earn points towards free menu items. To get you started on your first purchase, Flavorpill is giving away 25 $10 gift cards... enter to win here.

Veggie Challengers, mount up!

To read more about Radhika Oswal, Otarian founder, please click here.

We are in week two of our veggie challenge and everyone is doing amazing. The majority of you are transitioning from meat eating to a vegetarian diet, others are transitioning from vegetarian to vegan diets, and a few of you are going from vegan to raw. Whatever your transition, it is important to make sure you get the nutrients you need that you may have gotten solely from meat (and/or dairy) previously... So here are a few tips:

PROTEIN – Getting enough protein as a vegetarian/vegan isn’t as hard as many people think. Quinoa, beans, nuts and meat substitutes are all rich in protein.

IRON – Dried beans and dark green leafy vegetables are especially good sources of iron. Iron absorption is increased markedly by eating foods containing vitamin C along with foods containing iron.

VITAMIN B12 – There are many vegan foods fortified with B12. They include non-dairy milks, meat substitutes, breakfast cereals, and one type of nutritional yeast. Brewer's and nutritional yeasts do not contain B12 unless they are fortified with it. At least two vegan B12-fortified yeasts are currently on the market: Red Star Vegetarian Support Formula and Twinlab Natural Nutritional Yeast.

VITAMIN D – Most vegans will obtain sufficient vitamin D providing they spend time outdoors on bright days. Fortified foods further ensure adequate amounts.

Vegans who may be confined indoors may be recommended a vitamin D supplement.

CALCIUM – Calcium is present in a wide range of foods... leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds (almonds, brazil nuts, sesame seeds), tofu, and dried fruit are all good sources of calcium for vegetarians.

OMEGA-3 – As there is no plant source of the essential fatty acid omega-3 DHA, vegetarians should consider taking vegan DHA capsules derived from algae.

IODINE – Good sources of iodine include iodized table salt, legumes, and soy.

ZINC – Vegetarians need to eat plenty of foods that are rich in zinc, such as beans lentils, yeast, nuts, seeds and wholegrain cereals. Pumpkin seeds provide one of the most concentrated vegetarian food sources of zinc.

Yoga in the Park!

we will be where the red dot is!

Veggie Challenge Event Up-date!

Hey everyone! The response to the veggie challenge has been amazing and we are so excited to share this experience with all of you. We have a few changes in the event calender... (we added some weekday stuff for those of you who are tight on weekends)...

July 17: Movie Night (Food Inc) and Potluck, 6pm (screening begins, 7:30pm)

July 21: "Indian Spice Tour," and dinner (@ Indian vegetarian restaurant) with Sukhmani S. (meet at studio, 7pm)

July 22: Lecture by Dr. Manny, "How to make healthy lifestyle changes," 7:30pm

July 27: Lecture with Alexa W, "On food in Chinese Medicine," 6:30pm

July 31: Vegan bake-sale (proceeds go towards Nicaragua 2011)

See you all soon!!

Free, Outdoor Yoga!

Wave Hill
Take advantage of the warm weather with a little outdoor yoga... For more information, please visit TONY.

Bend and Bloom in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Long Meadow: FREE

Enter at Grand Army Plaza (Park Slope, Brooklyn)

First Thursday of the month 7–8pm; third Sunday of the month 10–11am. Through Sept 19.

Laughing Lotus

14th Street Park: FREE

14th St at Tenth Ave

Wed 7–8pm. Through Sept 1.

Open Air Yoga NYC (with watermelon-basil juice and iced peppermint tea after hour!)

Battery Park City and Central Park: $12

Rockefeller Park, Warren St at River Terr; Mon, Wed 9:30–10:30am; Turtle Pond at W 79th St Transverse; Mon, Wed 6:45–7:45pm.

Rooftop Sunset yoga: JCC, Manhattan

334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th St: $20 (members, $15)

Tue, July 13, and Wed, July 28 at 6:30pm; Mon, Aug 9, and Thu, Aug 26, at 6pm.

Yoga in Bryant Park

Sixth Ave between W 40th and W 42nd Sts: FREE

Tue 10–11am, Thu 6–7pm. Through Sept 30.

Yoga in Nature at Wave Hill

675 W 252nd St, gate at Independence Ave and 249th St, Bronx: $20 (members, $15)

Wed 10–11am, 6:15–7:15pm; Sun 10–11am. $20, members $15. Through Aug 1.

Yoga in the Park, Socrates Sculpture Park

Vernon Blvd at Broadway (Long Island City, Queens): FREE

Sat 9:30–10:30am, 11am–noon. Through mid-September.

Yoga in Riverside Park

The Plaza at 66th St, FREE

Wed 6:30–7:30pm. Through Sept 22.

The Yoga Room in Gantry Plaza State Park

48th Ave at the East River, (Long Island City, Queens): FREE

Third Sunday of the month 9:15–10:15am. Through September.

Yoga Sole in Prospect Park

Bartel Pritchard Lot, Prospect Park West at 15th St, Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn: FREE

Sun 10–11am. Through Aug 1.

VC in t-minus two days...

Just a few notes on the Veggie Challenge...

Each participant in the challenge will receive an information folder including shopping lists, recipes, nutritional and environmental information relating to vegetarianism, and specific food/nutritional information and resource lists. They will also receive a coupon for 20% off a private yoga + massage, or acupuncture session, and a coupon for 15% off a colonic at Release.

Everyone is welcome to the pamphlets, books and other information available in our veggie corner at the studio... come check it out!

The July events are as follows:

July 10: Veggie Challenge kicks off with a Lecture by Annie Dorobis

"Transitioning to a Vegetarian Diet”

3:30 - 5pm, $20 pre-registration, $30 day of.

Whether you’re looking to cut down on eating meat or are ready to eliminate it entirely, this workshop is designed to help you on your way.

The lecture will cover:

-Common reasons for becoming vegetarian

-Tips on stocking your pantry

-Easy recipes to get you started

-Tips on eating out

-Some facts and fiction about nutrition

Please note that this is not a cooking class, but a few small tastings of vegetarian products will be offered.

July 11: Field trip to Trader Joe’s with Jackie Vargas "Grocery Shopping for the Vegetarian Diet” 10am, Meet at the studio and travel together

July 17: Movie Night (Food Inc) and Potluck, 6pm (screening begins, 7:30pm)

July 22: Lecture by Dr. Manny, "How to make healthy lifestyle changes," 7:30pm

July 27: Lecture with Alexa W, "On food in Chinese Medicine," 6:30pm

July 31: Vegan bake-sale (proceeds go towards Nicaragua 2011)

TBA: "Indian Spice Tour," and dinner (@ Indian vegetarian restaurant) with Sukhmani S.

Books for the Veggie Challenge!

We are getting more and more excited as the veggie challenge draws nearer; 22 of you have already signed up and we are expecting more. Summer is a great time to try out vegetarianism, as so much produce is in season and can be bought fresh, from local vendors... and with this heat, it feels good to eat a bit lighter...

To help you out, we have ordered a few books that will be available to buy at the studio... They include, Clean Food (Terry Walters), the Vegetarian Times Vegetarian Beginngers Guide, and the Tassajara Cookbook (Karla Oliveira).

We also have a table of books for reference... feel free to look at them at the studio, but please do not bring them home, as we have a lot of people who would like access to them.

Bamboomoves Veggie Challenge 2010

Have you been considering vegetarianism, but are unsure where to start? Check out our Veggie Challenge! For one month, we will explore what it means to be vegetarian from both health and environmental standpoints. Through lectures, movies, field trips, and community support, you will learn options for meat substitution and how your body can benefit. By month’s end, you will have the resources (books/website/store lists, recipes, nutritional knowledge, etc) to embark on the vegetarian lifestyle on your own.

Discounted private yoga/acupuncture/massage sessions are available to challenge participants and there will be prizes upon completion.

*All are welcome to participate, even those who don’t wish to give up meat entirely... Sign-up at the front desk today!