by kvbadmin on May 27, 2011
Calm & Peace in Kent
Tips for peace of mind from certified Yoga teacher and Kent Yoga & Bodyworks owner, Alina Hernandez.
I feel so lucky to have my yoga practice. In fact, yoga has saved my life. My yoga practice is like coming home and putting on my pajamas after a long and stressful day, and finding that inner comfort. It teaches me, that no matter what is taking place around me, all the worries and preoccupation of life and being human, that I can use my physical body as a gateway for finding my inner home. I always have that ability to create that inner space no matter what. I just need to look. When I am doing my poses I am focusing on my alignment, my balance, my breath, and stability on a physical level and I start to feel the possibilities of finding the inner stability and balance of my mind. As long as my mind is aware of what is taking place in the present, it has no time to focus on all the distractions and worries of the phantom past and future.
Need to Center Your Mind? Try This.
Lay on your back with the whole back of the leg resting on a chair. Place your head on a support. Arms in a comfortable position. Just be aware how your physical body feels and start to imagine all the tension of your large and small muscles releasing from the ceiling towards the floor.
Next, scan your body from your toes to the crown of your head and visualize that part of your body release down with your natural exhalation. See yourself falling deeper and deeper into that vast inner space. Peace.
Alina Hernandez
ALINA HERNANDEZ | is a certified teacher with Yoga Alliance (R.Y.T.). She has been teacher certified by renowned instructor Rodney Yee, by Richard Rozen, contributing editor for Yoga Journal, and Jimamukti trained Collen Saidmain. Alina has a background in dance, she began her career with American Ballet Theater. After 12 years with ABT she joined the Broadway cast of Phantom of the Opera. She is the owner of Kent Yoga & Bodyworks, a premier exercise and wellness center in the Kent Village Barns.
by kvbadmin on May 24, 2011
We love this recipe for elegant summer entertaining! Delicious & nutritious beef carpaccio from the owners of Doc’s Trattoria in Kent, Connecticut.
Doc’s Trattoria lived in New Preston, CT for nine years before moving to the Kent Village Barns in 2008. The local favorite is co-owned by Roberto and Paulette Pizzo, a husband and wife, front-of-the house, back-of-the-house team. Together with their staff, the Pizzos serve up authentic Italian fare, inspired by Roberto’s Sicilian childhood. Summers, they invite residents and visitors to come sit on their Kent patio, listen to some live jazz, and dine on fine Italian cuisine.
Here, from their kitchen to yours, a rare treat!
BEEF CARPACCIO RECIPE
Beef Carpaccio at Doc's Trattoria
Ingredients
-6 oz. beef tenderloin (whole)
-2 c. baby arugula
-I tbsp. grated parmigiana reggiano cheese
-I tbsp. extra virgin olive oil mixed with 1 tbsp. lemon juice
-capers
-2 tbsp. crushed sea salt & black pepper
Preparation
Coat a large pan with extra virgin olive oil, crushed salt & pepper. Dip whole tenderloin in coated pan enough to wet all sides. Pan sear each side in a hot skillet. Let tenderloin cool at room temperature for about one hour. Wrap tenderloin in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Presentation
Slice the marinated tenderloin paper thin (for best results, freeze for 1 hour prior to slicing). Divide sliced beef between two plates. Garnish each plate with 1 cup arugula. Top each dish with 1/2 tbsp. of reggiano cheese. Sprinkle with capers. Drizzle each carpaccio with 1 tbsp. of lemon & olive oil dressing.
Visiting Doc’s Trattoria at Kent Village Barns
Location: 9 Maple Street, Kent, CT
Phone: (860) 927-3810
Menu: Modern flair on old Italian classics. Specialties include: zuppa di pesce, vitello salt in bocca, penne vessuviana and brick oven pizza.
Reservations are recommended. Visit their website: www.docstrattoria.com.
by kvbadmin on May 13, 2011
Kent, CT has long been known as a destination for art aficionados. Continuing in that tradition, Kent Village Barns is home to two Litchfield County’s most prominent galleries–the Morrison Gallery, and the Ober Gallery–and is a close walking distance to several others. Here, a roundup of must-hit galleries for an art-filled stroll near the Housatonic.
Start your walk at the The Morrison Gallery at 8 Old Barn Road, Kent, CT (pictured below). This 7,000 square foot contemporary art gallery is one of New England’s largest, and a Litchfield County sensation. “The scale, the architecture, the openness and the natural light are perfect for showcasing the most monumental of paintings and sculptures,” says owner Billy Morrison.
Next on your walk, visit the Ober Gallery, 6 North Main Street, Kent, CT (pictured below). Founded in 2006 by Rob Ober, the gallery shows contemporary artists from New York, New England, and Russia, and has a reputation for showing important twentieth century and contemporary Russian art.
When in the area, be sure to stop by the Kent Arts Association at 21 S. Main Street and the Heron American Craft Gallery at 16 Main Street.
