Welcome to my current love affair--with -- Iced Coffee!  Before I drank decaf, I had more than enough hot coffee to even think about a cold cup.  But since I transitioned to decaf, I find I don't drink as much in the morning,  and the other day I decided to try mixing mostly coffee with some almond milk over a lot of ice and was very pleasantly surprised with how delicious and satisfying it was.  Since almond milk is low in calories (only 60 in a full 8 ounce glass) and is naturally sweet,  the iced coffee needed no added sweetener (which would have been a deal breaker for me) and really was not only thirst quenching on a hot afternoon, but also satisfying as a "snack."  I have been enjoying a glass mid-day, every day since.  Cold, refreshing, tasty, low in calories and vegan.  PERFECT!  For most people, a caffeinated version would be a great afternoon pick-me-up, my body just can't handle the caffeine anymore!

But yesterday I blogged about water and it is really important to keep in mind that NOTHING replaces pure, unadulterated, water.  Make sure when you are trying to get in your (approx) 8 glasses a day, that you do NOT include iced coffee, tea, etc.  Consider them "treats" in comparison with water being a necessity!

As an FYI for my locals, I'll be subbing SilverSneakers tomorrow, both classes, for Carol, at Bally.  Tuesday morning the 10th I will be subbing Debbie's yoga class at 9am in the martial arts studio, also at Bally.  Thursday the 12th, I will be subbing Debbie's Yoga Fit/Senior class at 12:30, yup, also at Bally.  Subbing for anyone is a hard gig.  Students get so attached to their teachers.  After 30 years in this business I GET IT!  I am happy to help out my co-workers though, as we all need vacations.  I have learned its best night to try and recreate someone else's class, but instead bring whatever it is I have to share and hope that something is gleaned from class with a different instructor.  I look forward to seeing some new faces and some I haven't seen in a while!

Can't wait to see the "kids" for dinner tonight.  I will be recreating the middle eastern theme.  Homemade hummus, Israeli salad, pita bread and falafel from the Falafel Bistro.  I'll also be making brownies.  Ghirardelli makes a brownie mix that is not only insanely delicious but also is void of any usual dairy found in brownie mixes.  Simply adding oil, water and a few spoons of applesauce in place of the egg makes for a very fudgy tray of brownies.  Sprinkled with powdered sugar, they are a very easy (and decadent) treat.  The kids can burn those calories up and me, well, I can either exercise self-control, or --just exercise more!  Since I love to do some yoga on Thursday, I may have to hit that P90x yoga video this afternoon and PRE-burn calories to make room for dinner!  Yoga and Thursdays, for me, go together like...coffee and almond milk!  Just perfectly.

Wishing you a peaceful (or should I say peas-ful) vegan feast Thursday.   Blaze and I are up and out!