Yoga in the nature

Sunday morning, enjoying the sun and fresh air in the biggest botanical gardens in Greece. You see, we had a two-hour yoga class.

 We walked until we reach a place partly hidden from the sun.

 

Almost there... 

  

Eva Tripolitsioti, our instructor, while giving directions.

My view in shavasana, the pose of total relaxation. I didn't want to close my eyes so I could enjoy the most of the sky and green surrounding me.

My brand new yoga mat, the first one if I made add. feat. Adidas by Stella McCartney

Chamomile; a herb with beautiful tiny flowers, also used as a beverage to calm the nerves and the sould

The session finished and we are finding our way out.

A strawberry toast goodnight

Φρέσκες φράουλες κάπως ώριμες, ένα γεμάτο κουταλάκι μαρμελάδα φράουλα, σπιτική, αρωματισμένη με κανέλα, μια αραβική πίτα, μέτρια, και μια χούφτα, παιδική, σοκολάτα σε σταγόνες... «Απ’ την καλή, κυρ Στέφανε».

Ζεσταίνω την τοστιέρα. Απλώνω τη μαρμελάδα στην πίτα και σκορπάω τις φράουλες, αφού τις έχω κόψει σε κομμάτια. Είναι φρεσκοπλυμένες, καλά-καλά δεν έχει φύγει το νερό, δεν με πειράζει όμως γιατί θα βγάλουν έξτρα ζουμάκι. Σκορπάω και τη σοκολάτα, διπλώνω την πίτα στα δύο και βουρ στην τοστιέρα. Για 4-5-6 λεπτά, όσο αντέξω να κρατηθώ. Είμαι λίγο κουρασμένη και η υπομονή μου ανύπαρκτη.

Ο χρόνος πέρασε. Βάζω ένα ποτήρι φρέσκο γάλα. Κρύο, για να κοντράρει τη λιωμένη σοκολάτα και τις ζεστές φράουλες. Απολαμβάνω. Χαζεύω λίγο στον υπολογιστή, δήθεν για να χωνέψω, και ξαπλώνω.

Καληνύχτα.

--

Fresh strawberries, almost ripen, a spoonful of homemade strawberry jam, cinnamon scented, a medium sized flat bread and a child’s handful of fine chocolate.

While heating the toaster, I wash the strawberries and then I cut them in big chunks. They are still wet but I don’t care, I predict a juicy ending. Ι spread the jam on the flat bread and the wet strawberry chunks, plus the chocolate. Toast for 4-5 minutes, or until I run out of patience.

The time is up. My strawberry toast is served next to a glass of cold milk, the best anti-stress drink since childhood. I eat my toast and surf on the web, while digesting. Oh, just kidding. After a quarter of hour I lay on my bed.

Sleep tight.

A woman's essentials

A good book, a nice perfume, a bright red lipstick and a gini to make all her wishes come true.

Clutch bags are considered now an essential accessory; especially for going out by night. Plus, fashion designers see them as a toy each woman has to carry. Their price range may vary, but usually the most beautiful or original of them are overpriced or seriously expensive. This happens because of the fabrics, used precious stones or just because of the designer's name. I don't see the reason why a clutch bag should considered an investment. However, if you want to buy one and you don't have the whole bunch of money, search for something classic (ie the lips clutch by Lulu Guinness) and buy it during the sales period.

Jane Eyre embroidered clutch - Olympia Le-Tan

Pink Scent perfume bottle perspex clutch - Charlotte Olympia

Red Perspex Lips Clutch - Lulu Guinness

Genie Lamp Crystal Minaudiere - Judith Leiber

Spring is for apple tarts

During the weekend, I made an apple tart for my mother's name day. I followed a simple recipe from Glykes Istories magazine with a couple of alterations. So here is my version.

Apple Tart

For the crust

• 500 gr plain flour
• 50 gr cocoa
• a pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons of cold water
• 250 gr butter (from the fridge)

For the filling

• 5 large apples
• 50 gr butter (from the fridge), in small pieces
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• a pinch of ground cinnamon

For the glaze

• 3 tablespoons of marmelade of your choice (I used quince puree)
• 3 tablespoons of water

First you should prepare the crust.

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together until the mixture forms a dough. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in transparent film and place it in the refrigerator for about an hour (the longer you leave the dough to rest, the better the final result should be). 

Prepare the glaze

In a small saucepan, mix the marmelade with the water. When it dissolves, drag it from the fire and let it rest. 

An hour later... 
Preheat the oven to 180 C. Peel and chop the apples.

Take the dough out of the fridge and roll it out in a clean surface, until it fits your tart pan. Cut any excess pieces. Fill the tart with the apples. Sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon and butter pieces. Bake the tart in the oven for about an hour. 

An hour later... 
Leave the tart to cold -outside the oven- for half and hour and then apply the jam with a brush over the entire surface of the tart. 

Serving 
You can either serve it hot or cold. If hot with some ice-cream, if cold with a cup of warm milk.

Enjoy!

Another Visual

Here is a beautiful video, apple tart themed, part of the mini series “The way I cook” by Mr. Porter.

 

One quote & a pair of shoes that changed my Sunday

Feat. Nike AirMax+ 2013

Mr. S (my boss) told me once "You don't find time to workout, you make time!". And then, few days later, I received those beautiful new trainers as a gift from Nike Running Greece.

Their pink fluo colour makes my mood brighter, while their comfortness and stability make running on the paved roads of Piraeus a lot easier. Plus, they have a tight fit so the shoe fits like a glove. Highly recommended for outdoor workout!

Next day, I woke up early, did some stretching and gone for my #makeitcount run.

Enjoy the view and imagine how peaceful is to run by the sea.

Drinkworks x Christiana Thomaidi = Hot Chocolate

WHO: Drinkworks is a company offering cocktail delivery service, also selling cocktail gifts & kits.

WHAT: Our collaboration was due to a new non-alcoholic project, that is the creation of a new hot chocolate kit.

WHY: A cup of hot chocolate is the best way to treat cold winter days and nights; soothing, sweet and delicious.

HOW: In the basic kit you shall find the recipe, Callebaut belgian chocolate and two different aromas: vanilla + star anise and/or cardamom + pink pepper.

More info about the project (where to buy etc) coming soon.

Learn more about Drinkworks.

Home Delivery: Chicken Nuggets

I cannot deny I'm a fan of chicken nuggets since my childhood. You name it: frozen and ready-to-bake at home from Captain Iglo, or the junk-food way from Goody's (RIP), McDonalds or KFC.

In fact, I love to deep them in the bbq sauce. Deviled! Its like a spicy, crunchy & juicy junk heaven - truth is, its a calories hell!

This is why I went for a healthier version, homemade of course.

For 2 or 3

2 breasts of chicken
olive oil
2 cups of breadcrumbs (= τριμμένη φρυγανιά)
1-2 teaspoons of paprika, sweet or smoked its your choice
1 teaspoon of turmeric (or curry)
freshly ground pepper
salt

Cut the chicken breasts in slices and then in small bites. Put them in a bowl, pour over olive oil and toss until all the chicken bites covered. Mix in a big bowl the breadcrumbs, paprika, turmeric, salt and pepper. Combine the chicken bites with the breadcrumbs and toss barbarously. Place the nuggets in a baking pan, over greaseproof paper and bake for 20-25' at 180'C.

And what about the sauce?

• Mix greek yogurt with chopped fresh onion, season with salt, pepper & olive oil
• or prepare a filthy homemade bbq sauce (recipe here in GR)

Eggs & feta toast

Lately I've been testing my egg-cooking skills; boiled, sunny side up, scrambled. A running yolk over freshly toasted bread can be one of those little moments of happiness I get to share with myself. I add some ground pepper & salt to..
But then, there are days a single egg is simply not enough. The fridge is nearly empty and I'm not in the mood for serious cooking.

Ingredients
2 slices of your favorite bread
1 egg
30-40 gr feta cheese
2 tablespoons tomato paste
dry oregano
pepper

DIY
Spread the tomato paste over the bread. Rub with your fingers the feta cheese over the bread. I know its kind of disgusting but it really works. Season with oregano. Toast the sandwich.
Prepare a sunny side up egg. If you prefer a running yolk, like I do, cook it for 1-2 minutes, place a plate over the skillet and let it stand with no fire for 2-3 minutes.

Place the egg over the toast. Season with pepper. Enjoy.