Yoga Party

A couple of weeks ago I met a friend for a workout class and lunch. As we sat there talking about our class (we had just finished Pop Physique) and commiserating over busy schedules, I started to think, we need more healthy days like this with friends! When life gets hectic, it's easy to plan a night of cocktails, but planning a day to relax with friends is just as fun too. After all, taking time to do something healthy for your body and mind is always more fun when friends come along. Last week I got the girls together for an easy, no stress, Yoga party with Blue Diamond Almonds.

We all brought our yoga mats and spread out in my friend Christina's back yard. I made healthy snacks to fuel the workout and arranged it all casually on a colorful yoga mat.

Nothing too tricky, just a platter of fresh fruit and Blue Diamond Coconut Almonds, Cucumber and Hummus bites and easy Chia Seed Puddings with fresh mango. To quench our thirst, Coconut Water Spa Pops and a Watermelon Lemon Grass Cooler.

Spending time relaxing, getting a work out, and eating deliciously healthy food with friends was the perfect way to start our day. I did however promise my friends that none of them would be photographed in downward facing dog.

So, do you plan workout dates with your friends? What's your favorite way for you and your friends to unwind?

Yoga Party Recipes:

Chia Seed Pudding- adapted from Giada De Laurentiis
serves 4

1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze Almond Milk
1 cup plain almond yogurt or low-fat (2 percent) Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Kosher salt
¼ cup chia seeds
1 ripe mango peeled and sliced
¼ cup Blue Diamond Oven Roasted Sea Salt Almonds, chopped

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, gently whisk the almond milk, yogurt, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, the vanilla and ⅛ teaspoon salt until just blended. Whisk in the chia seeds; cover and let stand over night in the refrigerator.

2. Stir to distribute the seeds if they have settled and spoon the pudding into 4 bowls or glasses; top with sliced mango and chopped almonds.

I think I might be switching out the cheese platters for more platters of Cucumber Hummus bites, they were so good!

Cucumber Dill Hummus Nut Thins

1 cucumber sliced
Blue Diamond Artisan Flax Seed Nut Thins
white bean hummus
fresh dill, chopped

Directions:
1. Arrange Blue Diamond Nut Thins on a platter and top each with a dollop of hummus. Spread to cover the Nut Thin.
2. Top each with a slice of cucumber, an additional dollop of hummus and a sprig of chopped dill.

Coconut Water Spa Pops
3 cups coconut water
10 slices of cucumber
juice of 1 lemon1-2 Tbs agave nectar, to taste
10 standard 3oz popsicle molds

Directions:

1. Combine coconut water, lemon juice and agave nectar in a pitcher and stir to combine.
2. Add one slice of cucumber to each popsicle mold and fill with coconut water mixture.
3. Add popsicle sticks and freeze.

Watermelon Lemongrass & Ginger Cooler - Whole Living

4 pounds watermelon, peeled and cut into cubes (12 cups)
1 tablespoon plus 1 ½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 ½ teaspoons finely grated (preferably on a Microplane zester) lemongrass
1 ½ teaspoons finely grated (preferably on a Microplane zester) fresh ginger
Coarse salt
Ice cubes
Garnish: trimmed lemongrass stalks

Directions:

1. Puree watermelon in a blender until smooth. Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a pitcher. Stir in lemon juice, lemongrass, ginger, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Refrigerate until chilled, about 20 minutes.
2. Divide juice among 6 ice-filled glasses, and garnish with lemongrass stalks.

photos by Joanne Pio

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds but all opinions expressed here are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who allow me to continue creating new content for Freutcake!