Food glorious food!

One of my greatest passions is food. I simply love to eat and enjoy any occasion where good food is part of the mix.

Growing up in a large Italian family, there was always an abundance of food around. And I learned from a young age the importance of food in bringing people together. Enjoying the aromas, tastes, and textures of food with others fosters intimacy, builds relationships, and creates memories that last a lifetime.

Each holiday, my extended family celebrates with food. As I mentioned above, I come from a large Italian family -- my mom is the oldest of 10 children and my dad is the youngest of seven. I have over 50 first cousins! Needless to say, holidays are a big deal -- "big" being the operative word. There are usually over 80 of us! Because no one can accommodate such a large group in their home, we go to a restaurant.

Yesterday for Easter, we went to Paese Ristorante. We've been here for the past five years and the food is simply delectable. Here's what was on the menu:

We started with caprese salad, deep fried jumbo shrimp and calamari, and mixed greens with orange and crumbled walnuts. (I admittedly got full on the shrimp, but kept going.) Next came ricotta gnocchi in a tomato basil sauce. This was followed by a choice of pan seared rainbow trout, grilled lamb chops, cornish hen, or veal scallopini. I opted for the cornish hen. Dessert was a roasted seasonal fruit crostata topped with hazelnut gelato.

While I was enjoying yesterday's feast, I was thinking a lot about how Bikram Yoga and food are a great complement to one another.

First, food provides the necessary fuel for me to be able to actually do Bikram Yoga. It's such an intense form of exercise that it's essential to have a well balanced diet. Most of the teachers I've spoken to have emphasized the importance of eating properly and not skipping meals while at Teacher Training. Your body is having to cope with a very demanding schedule that includes practicing twice a day -- so it needs to be well nourished to keep up.

Second, having a regular Bikram practice has meant that I can pretty much eat what I want without having to worry. People are often shocked at the amount I can eat. A fellow yogi recently asked what my diet consisted of and when I told him about my love of food, he said he thought I was a "two egg white for breakfast kind of girl." Bikram Yoga has kept me svelte despite my large appetite. And while I do eat a lot, I make healthy choices where I can, except of course at family gatherings!

Food and Bikram Yoga -- two of my greatest passions and the perfect pair!