Sesame Roasted Beets and Greens

Here are the things they don't tell you about hot yoga:

Before your first hot yoga class, you should really paint your toenails. Trust me.  You'll want to have something pretty to distract you from the thought that this is how you are going to die.

It's hot. I know you must have gathered that much from the name of the class, but it's really hot. And when the room is that hot and the studio gets really crowded... it smells. Sorry to say it, but some classes make it hard to come back.

You can totally do it.  If I can do it, you can do it. Promise. 

I started hot yoga two weeks ago and have completed six classes to date.  I am not a "yoga person" by any means.  I do a couple of yoga classes at my gym here and there, but hot yoga was never something that appealed to me.  Standing in one spot and dripping sweat all over myself?  No thanks. 

I started my hot yoga experiment to see if it would help alleviate my knee pain.  So far I have had very positive results, which is one of the reasons why I have forced myself to stick with it.  Hot yoga and I kinda have a love-hate relationship at the moment.  I think we're frenemies. 

One of the things that I do enjoy about hot yoga is how it strengthens the mind and body connection.  I usually make a point each day to try to listen to my thoughts and make the positive ones outweigh the negative ones.  During my first class, it became apparent very quickly how strongly my body responds to my thoughts.  For instance, I would think to myself "I am going to fall out of this pose."  And so I did.  But, if I tried the pose again and thought, "I can hold it this time."  I did.  Incredible.

In the studio that I go to, the room is long and narrow so everyone can see themselves in the front mirror.  I find it very powerful to look into my own eyes for an hour and a half.  Some days that takes a lot of courage and work to give myself love that entire time.  I think for women especially this is really powerful because we learn so quickly to avoid mirrors or use them as means to critique ourselves.  Before hot yoga, I don't think there ever was a time when I looked myself right in the eyes and said, "You can do this."  Or, "look how strong your body is in this pose." Or, "Wow, your arms look awesome today." 

Here's one more thing they don't tell you about hot yoga:

Even if you really don't like it... even if you kinda hate it... even if you dread every class... you'll kinda love it.

Here are the things they don't tell you about beets:

Don't ever eat them from a can.  I'm serious.  If you have a can of beets in your pantry, please compost them right now.

Buy beets when they are fresh, preferably with the greens still attached. 

Don't overcook them and if you are not a beet lover, don't boil them.  Roast them.  Always.

Even if you really don't like beets... even if you kinda hate 'em... even if you dread the thought of eating them... you'll kinda love this recipe.

Roasted beets are perfect in winter because they are in-season and full of Vitamin C.  Roasting them brings out their natural sweetness which is why I recommend this method of cooking for people who say they don't like beets.  This recipe utilizes the beet greens as well as the root so you use the entire vegetable.  I like to use different kinds of beets in this recipe for a more colorful presentation, but any type of beets will work. Serve this with some brown rice and lentils for a hearty and healthy meal.


Sesame Roasted Beets
Serves 4

2 bunches of beets
3 Tablespoons sesame oil, divided
1 leek, ends removed and chopped
1 Tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons Bragg's liquid aminos
salt and pepper, if desired
sesame seeds for garnish

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Remove the greens from the beets and set aside.  Chop the beets. Toss beets with one tablespoon of sesame oil and lay flat on sheet pan.  Roast for 25 - 30 minutes, turning twice, until beets are tender (but not mushy).

Chop the beet greens.  Add one tablespoon of sesame oil to a pan over medium heat.  Add the leeks and sauté for two minutes.  Add the ginger and garlic and sauté for an additional minute.  Add the the greens and liquid aminos and cook for 15 - 20 minutes, until tender.  Add salt and pepper if desired.

Drizzle beets with remaining tablespoon of sesame oil.  Garnish beets and greens with sesame seeds and serve warm.