Celebrating July 4th often means making patriotic themed dishes

What's better than to make a red, white and blue treat with berries...

July 4th Berry Treats

Instead of loading up on fake food coloring, go natural and create a buffet of berry-infused beverages for Fourth of July! Berry Cubes Ice can be exciting. That said, you can dress up your drinks with berries. Drop a few blueberries and raspberries into your ice cube tray. Fill with water, and freeze. Put the frozen berry cubes into a water pitcher or add them to sparkling water.

Happy Independence Day from all of us at P/oP.

Photo Credit: cecilia-par-102886-unsplash

Significance of Poppies / Memorial Day

Memorial Day is often seen as the start of summer.

People make plans for barbecues, picnics and perhaps head to the beach.

In our varied communities people still honor the true meaning behind the holiday.

Memorial Day is a day to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.  According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Day started out in 1868 as “Decoration Day” and was observed on May 30.  It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country,” according to the website, VA.gov

Flowers are an important symbol of Memorial Day. 

Many people leave flowers on the graves of fallen veterans. And one flower, in particular, has come to represent the somber holiday.

The poppy is officially recognized as a symbol of remembrance.

The Memorial Day we celebrate today was merged with the wearing of poppies in 1915 after the publication of the poem,  In Flander’s Field, by Lt. Colonel John McCrae, following the second battle of Ypres.

Pilates of Pasadena staff thank all of our military personnel and veterans for their service to our country.

A copy of the poem can be found at the end of this blog.

Photo Credit: laurentiu-iordache-568420-unsplash.jpg

In Flander’s Field

By Lt. Col. John McCrae, 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly,

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow.,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields

 

Veterans Day

Today we pay our respects to those who have served.

We celebrate and honor all of America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our veterans.

Photo by Rick Lipsett on Unsplash

This holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country's service and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on Nov. 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to "Veterans Day" in order to account for all veterans in all wars.

Join us in saluting our veterans.


Too much Holiday Sweets

Feeling guilty about the sweets or food you enjoyed at your Holiday celebrations?

Most people decide to cut back on eating to trim back down.

Don't beat yourself up! It takes a lot of calories—3,500—to gain a pound of body fat. So really, that holiday eating doesn't usually result in any significant weight gain.

It's about what you do the next day and the day after that's really important —so get back and stay on-track with your workouts. So be sure to whittle away at those extra calories over the next day or two, preferably by boosting exercise rather than eating too little. Starvation is not the healthy answer!

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

In the Community

Visit the Arroyo Seco Marketplace

Saturday, November 24, 2018
10:00am

At the Audubon Center at Debs Park4700 N. Griffin Ave, Los Angeles, 90031

Support local vendors on Small Business Saturday!

Visit the 2nd annual Arroyo Seco Marketplace on November 24th from 10am – 4pm. What better way to get ahead of your holiday shopping and support local small businesses and vendors than with our nature themed vendor booths.  They’ll have food, music, activities, and programs running all day long for the whole family.  Stay throughout the day and participate in their raffle. 

Explore the marketplace--you're bound to find something for everyone on your holiday list!

 

Warm your heart...

And your kitchen with effortless sounds and bread recipes that will carry you through the season.

The New Cooking School of Pasadena [NSOC] is offering a class on Autumn Soups and Breads on Sat, Oct. 20, 2018 @ 10:00 AM

Photo by Jill Heyer on Unsplash

For more info Go to: http://www.cookingschoolsofamerica.com/newschoolofcookingpasadenacampus/index.php?page=calendar

Significance of Poppies / Memorial Day

Memorial Day is often seen as the start of summer.

People make plans for barbecues, picnics and perhaps head to the beach.

In our varied communities people still honor the true meaning behind the holiday.

valentino-funghi-276005-unsplash.jpg

Memorial Day is a day to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.  According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Day started out in 1868 as “Decoration Day” and was observed on May 30.  It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country,” according to the website, VA.gov

Flowers are an important symbol of Memorial Day. 

Many people leave flowers on the graves of fallen veterans. And one flower, in particular, has come to represent the somber holiday.

The poppy is officially recognized as a symbol of remembrance.

The Memorial Day we celebrate today was merged with the wearing of poppies in 1915 after the publication of the poem,  In Flander’s Field, by Lt. Colonel John McCrae, following the second battle of Ypres.

Pilates of Pasadena staff thank all of our military personnel and veterans for their service to our country.

A copy of the poem can be found at the end of this blog.

Photo Credit: laurentiu-iordache-568420-unsplash.jpg

In Flander’s Field

By Lt. Col. John McCrae, 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly,

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow.,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields

 

You can't buy your Mother's Love

Mother’s day will soon be here,

which means

it’s time to start thinking about how you are going to

cement your place as your mom’s favorite child. 

It's true...

that you can’t buy your mother's love – but we can help you by getting her the perfect gift.... we suggest a Pilates of Pasadena Gift Card to show your love. 

 

 

 

Call (626)765-6500 or email us to place your order.

Photo by J-S Romeo on Unsplash

Celebrating Spring Holiday Traditions

Season to celebrate Easter and Passover.

Both of these holidays bring an emphasis of nature, hope and history.

The renewal of nature that comes with spring amplifies the promise of redemption intertwined in the historical events being commemorated.

Passover commemorates events leading to the liberation of the children of Israel and is celebrated for seven to eight days. 

Easter, a festival in the Christian calendar, celebrates the events leading to and the resurrection of Jesus and is celebrated over a week which is known as the 'Holy Week.'

We can always admire the varying Easter and Passover traditions that are held around the world and here in our community. 

Whether you remember having ham or lamb, or as a kid you hunted eggs, had a chocolate bunny, or smashed dishes to indicate a fresh start during Passover, traditions are meaningful for how uniting and celebratory they are every spring. 

Join us in celebrating the tradition of sharing meals with family & friends.

Enjoy  one of our favorite traditional recipes.

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Olive Oil

  • 1 1/2 Lbs. medium asparagus, peeled

  • 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

  • Salt & fresh ground Pepper

  • 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

  • 1 tsp. grated lemon zest

Preheat oven to 450.

In a baking dish lined with parchment paper, drizzle the asparagus with half of the olive oil and season with salt & pepper.

Roast for about 15-20 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. When done, drizzle the asparagus with the remaining olive oil, lemon juice and zest. Serve hot.

Enjoy!