Saturday, May 31, 2014

Event: Summer Solstice Yoga Festival


https://www.facebook.com/FAYSolsticeYogaFest2014?fref=photo


Come celebrate the summer solstice! 

Free Akron Yoga's annual summer solstice celebration teams up with Big Love Fest to produce 2014 Free Akron Yoga Summer Solstice Yoga Festival: Big Love Under the Sun! It will be an epic gathering including the famous 108 sun salutations lead by some of the areas most beloved yoga teachers, a sitting meditation practice, other various mind/body practices, live music, art, amazing food and community workshops!


When: Saturday June 21, 2014
Where: Howe Meadow: 4040 Riverview Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44264
Time: 2:00 pm - 10:00pm
Cost: Free


Friday, May 30, 2014

Cleveland VegFest Needs You!

http://www.clevelandvegansociety.org/vegfest2014/


Hey Healthy Hoffer's!

If you're in the Cleveland, OH area - you're assistance is needed.

Cleveland VegFest 2014 needs volunteers STAT to make sure this year's event is even better than last years!

If you went to last year's first VegFest, you know what an awesome vegan awareness event this is!

If you didn't, check out all the awesome goodness you should be experiencing!

If interested & to learn more, fill out this quick Volunteer Survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VegFest2014VolunteerSurvey

VegFest is next Saturday, 6.7.14 at Cleveland State University - giddy up!

Go VegFest!


Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Wynn's 5 Step Cut

You're probably asking yourself, why is a Holistic Health & Wellness blog writing about a haircut?

Well, because I searched the internet high & low to figure out just what was the "5 Step" Cut at the Wynn's Las Vegas Salon and came up with zero, zilch, nada.  So, I was forced to experience it for myself and well I feel it's my duty to help my fellow sisters out in their eternal search for awesome hair.

Now, why was the Healthy Hoff at the Wynn in the first place?  That I can tie back to this blog.  Steve Wynn (owns the Wynn) is vegan and as such he has mandated that all of his restaurants offer a vegan menu.  I'm not talking one or two items that can be made vegan; all of his restaurants have at least a one page menu dedicated to all things vegan!  Plus, he has trained the staff to understand just what vegan means.  Beyond that, before ordering, you are asked if there are any food allergies and if you say yes, you get a personal consult with the chef!  So, when I go to Vegas, I stay at the Wynn because I don't have to conduct the typical internet search to determine just where I'm going to get my three meals a day and that is a vacation in of itself.  Check out what I ate the last time I was there...

Back to this haircut...

I don't gamble, but my boyfriend does and we were in Vegas for his birthday.  So as a special gift to him, I take one day of sacrifice and hit the Wynn Spa, so he can hit the tables or whatever it is that gamblers do.  This year, I decided to take a peek at what the Wynn Salon had to offer.  And this is when I came across this...

WOMEN’S SIGNATURE
“5 STEP” CUT
From $230
Claude Baruk’s innovative “5 Step” cutting
method creates an easy-to-maintain style
specifically designed for you and your lifestyle. 


I was intrigued.  The only time I shell out this type of cash for my hair, I'm getting cut, style & a three-color process (mind you, I live in Ohio). Since, I couldn't find any additional info on what exactly this entailed, I bit the bullet and booked an appointment.  

To start off, I got a full 360 consultation on every inch of my hair - that was nice and something no other salon has done.  I figured that was Step 1 - impressive.  Onto the hair washing, feet up, head back, a thorough hair washing and a very, very nice neck massage - Step 2?  Back to the chair to start cutting. That's when I inquired as to what the "5 Steps" of this innovative process were.  At this point, I had assumed we were at Step 3 and I was anxious to learn what Step 4 & 5 would bring.

I kid you not, with a 100% sincerity this chick tells me that the "5 Step" process involves sectioning off the hair into 5 parts and cutting each separately.

Step 1 - Right Side
Step 2 - Left Side
Step 3 - Front
Step 4 - Back
Step 5 - Crown

Are you fucking kidding me?!?!?

That's called a quality haircut from anyone who ever went to beauty school!

The only place I wouldn't expect that from would be Best Cuts and since I've never been there, I probably shouldn't throw them under the bus, because for all I know, they do the "5 Step Cut" too!

I will say that how they blow out the hair is cool.  If you opt for "body," which I advise you do, they brush out the hair with a large barrel round brush and then wrap each section of hair in the brush and let it sit until all your hair is done  - imagine about 7 brushes sticking out of your head. The process itself looks a little scary but the results are phenomenal! 

So, I looked amazing walking out of the salon.  I felt amazing for a few days, then I washed my hair and I was back to nothing all that special.  My expectation for going was to get a cut that complimented my face, my hair type, etc. The cut I got was nothing I haven't gotten before for much, much, much less. 

My advice, get the blowout, skip the haircut.

My duty fulfilled, now you decide if a haircut is worth $230!




P.S. Due to the length of my hair, the price went up to $245.

The Amazing Fleeting Results...



Saturday, May 24, 2014

Hoff's Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Hoff's Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Yields: 1 lb.
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:
  • 1 lb. Brussels Sprouts (cored & halved)
  • 3 tbsp. Mustard
  • 1 tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
  •  Sea Salt to taste

Directions:
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
  2. In a bowl, mix together Brussels Sprouts, 2 tbsp. Mustard, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder & Salt until well coated
  3. Spread onto a baking sheet
  4. Cook about 20 minutes or until charred, tossing after 10 minutes
  5. Return to bowl and coat with remaining 1 tbsp. of Mustard
  6. Top with a pinch or two of Sea Salt if desired

Hoff Thoughts:  Use your favorite Mustard for this recipe, it could be good ole' Yellow, Stadium or some super yummy German!


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Hoff's Succotash Quinoa

Hoff's Succotash Quinoa
Serves: 2
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Quinoa
  • 1 1/2 cups Water
  • 1/2  cup Frozen Organic Corn
  • 1/2  cup Frozen Lima Beans
  • 1 tbsp. Dried Onion
  • 1/2  tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1/2  tsp. Garlic Powder

 Directions:
  1. Using a fine wire mesh strainer, rinse Quinoa
  2. Combine Quinoa, Water & Seasonings into a 2 quart pot, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes, fluff with fork
  3. Meanwhile in a small colander, run cold water over Corn & Lima Beans to thaw
  4. Add Corn & Lima Beans to Quinoa and heat through

Hoff Thoughts: Rinsing the Quinoa removes the outer coating which can sometimes have a bitter taste. Swap out your favorite veggie combinations! This makes a quick and easy lunch or a simple side dish.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Hoff's Green Bean Fries

Hoff's Green Bean Fries
Yields: 1 lb. of "Fries"
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free, soy-free

Ingredients:
  • 1 lb. Green Beans (ends trimmed)
  • 1 tbsp. Nutritional Yeast
  • 1 tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  2. Rinse Green Beans & place in large bowl
  3. With Beans still wet, toss with Nutritional Yeast, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder & Sea Salt
  4. Bake on parchment paper for 30 minutes


Monday, May 12, 2014

Hoff's Potato Cakes

Hoff's Potato Cakes
Yields: about 14 cakes
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free


Ingredients:
  • 2 cups Mashed Potatoes
  • 1/2 cup Sauerkraut (rinsed & drained)
  • 1/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour
  • 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
  • 2 tbsp. Dried Onion
  • 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  2. Blot Sauerkraut dry & then combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl
  3. Drop spoonfuls of batter onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet
  4. Flatten each mound
  5. Cook for 20 minutes or until browned
  6. Serve with your fav condiment - mine, Mustard!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Hoff Hit: Longer Lasting Nail Polish

Before applying nail polish, swipe each nail with white vinegar.  This will remove any residue and ensure a longer lasting paint job.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Hoff's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hoff's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yields: about 2 dozen
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
  • 2 cups Whole Oats
  • 1 cup White Sugar
  • 1 cup Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Morsels
  • 1 cup pitted Dates
  • 1 cup Apple Sauce
  • 3 tbsp. Chia Seeds
  • 3 tbsp. Water
  • 1 tsp. Baking Soda
  • 1 tsp. Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp. Sea Salt

Directions:
  1. Mix Chia Seeds & Water and let sit for 5 minutes or until gelled
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  3. Using a Mini Food Processor, finely chop Dates
  4. Meanwhile in a medium bowl, whisk together Flour, Oats, Sugar, Chocolate Chips, Baking Soda, Baking Powder & Salt
  5. In another bowl, mix together Dates, Apple Sauce & Gelled Chia Seeds
  6. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients
  7. Drop spoonfuls onto a non-stick cookie sheet or parchment paper lined cookie sheet
  8. Bake for 10 minutes, using the back of a spatula flatten each cookie, bake for another 5 minutes

Monday, May 5, 2014

Healthy Hoff Mac & Cheese V

Healthy Hoff Mac & Cheese V
Yields: 6-8 serving
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free

Ingredients:
  • 16 oz. Whole Wheat Pasta
  • 12 oz. Silken Tofu
  • 1/2 cup plain Almond Milk
  • 1 Roasted Red Pepper (jarred)
  • 3/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
  • 2 tbsp. Cashews
  • 1 tbsp. Arrowroot
  • Juice from half a Lemon
  • 2 tsp. Sea Salt 
  • 1 tsp. Cumin
  • 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Paprika

Directions:
  1. Cook Pasta according to directions
  2. Meanwhile put remaining ingredients into Vitamix & blend on high for 6 minutes
  3. Drain Pasta, return to pot, mix in "Cheese Sauce"
  4. Enjoy!

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Doc: Happy

Are you happy?

What does it mean to be happy?

Do you know how to be happy?


Happy is a documentary that explores happiness - what it means, how to achieve it.

You'll take a trip around the world and see what happiness looks like at various economic levels & life situations.  Hear what leading scientist have to say on the research of happiness - yes, this is an actual field of study.  You will be surprised by what you learn. 

This doc is pretty good & worth the 76 minute investment if you are at all curious about happiness.

What makes you happy?

Check out the trailer!