Author: lebureauetc

I am a believer in beauty, love, forgiveness, and experiencing life's lessons until you learn your lessons you need to learn. I am a mom of 3 beautiful girls, I am married to my soulmate, and I enjoy learning new things and understanding new ways of seeing people and the world. I practice what I believe and I also believe in Yoga and Pilates practiced with attention.

TRUTH?

by lebureauetc, posted in Uncategorized

 

Come butta Friends?
(whats’s up)

For me I can say cosi cosi(things are ok).  Lots always going on. Life is such a balancing act. Wow!

As some of you may know I am taking Italian lessons each week at North Seattle community college. It is just the right amount of time (2 hours/week) to challenge me but also a nice break from my weekly routine. Although I am not very savvy when it comes to language, it is quite fun (sometime just funny) to try to speak the language. I really enjoy listening to my Italian teacher talk and also enjoy learning about the cultural differences between Italy and the rest of Europe as well as the US. One difference that my teacher hit on last week was that here in the US (as a generalization) we tend not to be honest with ourselves and when communicating with others we seem to fear the truth and think it would be rude to bother people with our problems. On the contrary, in Italy, my teacher says that it would be offensive to lie and not tell it as it is. “Italians speak the truth!” This is so true and thinking about it makes me smile every time…

As you and I both know, the truth is sometimes hard to handle, however, I do strive to live as the Italians live. I know sometimes it’s easy to just leave the truth for another day…but why? What good will that bring to you? Will it inspire change and growth? HMMMM:)

Last but not least, my teacher also says, the the Italians only do things that bring them JOY.

With that said, I hope you have many people, activities, routines, that bring you JOY …

The Pelican Brief

by lebureauetc, posted in Cocktails, Happy Hour, Recipes

UMMM…

I love this cocktail.  It’s a sophisticated summer sipper.  Those of you who came to my last happy hour know what I am talking about!

 

Below is the recipe…enjoy before end of summer.

1.5 oz Gin (I used Hendrick’s)

2.5 oz. Pinot Gris (I used Terrapin Cellars 2014)

1 oz. rhubarb syrup(email if you want the recipe)

1 oz. lime juice(fresh of course!)

dash or 2 of grapefruit bitters

twist of citron(lemon/lime/orange)

It takes a lot of WORK!

by lebureauetc, posted in inspirations, Pilates

It takes a lot of work…

to recognize that…

“We’re not perfect, and it takes a long time to get there!”

I hope you can laugh and love this phrase as much as I do.

Jay Grimes, first generation master instructor(learned the method of Pilates from Joseph Pilates himself) said this to over 50 classical pilates instructors this weekend at Vintage Pilates in LA. What a great weekend! As some of you may already know, I am hoping to be accepted into Jay’s Pilates Master Program, called, “The Work.” I performed my assessment on the reformer this weekend and overall, I believe, I had a strong performance. I will find out in November wether or not I am one of the few chosen to participate in his program. The program is an intense 1-2 year graduate program for certified teachers who desire to go beyond Pilates workshops and truly understand how all the Pilates exercises and the apparatus work together efficiently and effectively.

Back to, “we’re not perfect, and it takes a long time to get there!” I love this saying as it reminds me that making any shift/change in my attitude, in my body, in my actions takes time. It takes a lot of “WORK” also. WE need to choose and become consciously aware of our actions and recognize what we can do to ease the discomfort. Being disciplined and steadfast in your actions will hopefully affect your realistic goals:) you set for yourself. Doing all of this we will still have more, and more, and more to work on. Enjoy your journey, learn from it, love yourself, and repeat!

Ciao,

Brooke

Italian Spritz

by lebureauetc, posted in Happy Hour, Recipes

This drink is refreshing and oh so good  that you have to discipline yourself to just have 1!

The following recipe is inspired from our recent vacation in Italy.  The spritz itself can be made using different liquors depending on your mood and your taste.

Spritz ingredients:

-3 parts prosceco

-2 parts liquor.  (classic liquor to use is Aperol.  However you can get creative here!  If I want something less sweet I substitute Campari or if I want something more sweet I  substitute limoncello.  Maybe you want it bitter sweet, then add 1 part Campari to one part limoncello).  What do you feel like today?

-1 part soda water

As you see the following proportions gives you the boundaries for the drink.  As I mentioned, classic spritz is made with Aperol.  I personally enjoy Campari as it is less sweet and more on the bitter side.  You can also make the spritz “dirty” by substituting one part liquor such as aperol with gin or vodka.  Play and have fun with this recipe.  I hope you enjoy “cocktail hour” as much as I do!

 

Tangy Garlic Almond Dip

by lebureauetc, posted in Recipes

Ciao Friends,

The following recipe is similar to a hummus without the chickpeas!  It’s something that I tried at Cibreo Trattoria in Florence, Italy that I needed to try and duplicate as it was so good.

The following recipe is without knowing precise ingredients and/or measurements, however I have made it already several times and it is delicious.  Enjoy as an appetizer on bread, veggies etc…I personally enjoy dipping jicama, radish, and cucumbers in this dip!

INGREDIENTS:

-1 cup soaked almonds for a minimum of 6 hours to overnight

-2/3 cloves of garlic or to your liking

-1/4 cup lemon juice

-1/4 cup white wine vinegar

-1/2 cup olive oil

-water to your liking depending on how thick you prefer the texture

-fresh herbs such as tarragon, parsley, chives, basil.  Pick your flavor(s)!

 

Blend the first 2 ingredients in a food processor or blender until consistency is sand like.  Add the following ingredients and blend together until the consistency is to your liking.  Buon appetito!

 

 

 

Exciting Retreat Update!

by lebureauetc, posted in Uncategorized

Ciao Friends!

I hope you are well and having an adventurous summer. My family just spent some time walking the Amalfi coast in Italy. That was quite a beautiful and breathtaking adventure! Now we are finding our way back into our routine of working, doing the dishes, swim meets, etc. No matter where you are, it’s always an adventure!

I wanted to touch base with an IMPORTANT UPDATE for the Roots Down Revival Retreat. As I mentioned in my Retreat Announcement, I have been traveling to the Big Island ever since I can remember. I thought it would be so special to share this beautiful and healing place with you!

Here is the major change: I will no longer be including the hotel as part of the package deal. I have not had enough commitments and Le Bureau, unfortunately, will not be able to front the money for the cost of the hotel to reserve the rooms! Due to this change the cost has been significantly reduced from $1950 to $650.

If you are considering the retreat I would recommend staying at the Hotel I had initially reserved, The Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. This Hotel is a great choice and I would highly recommend that you contact them as soon as possible. The hotel is newly renovated and the location of the hotel is PERFECT. It is located where I will hold the yoga and Pilates mat classes, in addition to being situated right next to the Kailua-Kona Pier where you will have the option to swim.

Another good option is the Royal Kona Resort, where the Luau will be. This hotel is walking distance to the Courtyard King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel and Pier. It also has a great bar for watching the sunset and having “pu-pu’s.”

You may also choose to use other options like VRBO or Air BnB.

Please email me if you are interested in learning more!
Ciao,
Brooke