Mataio's red smoothie with beets & jalepenos.
The picture you see is of one of my all star clients, Mataio Gillis – owner of Ciao Thyme in the Kitchen. There are two things I will be raving about in this blog… Number one: Mataio’s fabulous fruit & veggie smoothies that have helped him lose 4 pant sizes.Of course Mataio has been very consistent withpersonal training at least twice a week with Summer Huntington using the Clubbell, but this smoothie was an easy way to make the lifestyle change. Number two: Incognito dinners at Ciao Thyme, which I will be going to this month and next month. Let me know if you want to be seated at my table via email.
First, the story of the smoothie. When Mataio came to me for personal training, we were on a tight time budget because owning a catering company is quite a commitment. I wanted to help Mataio reach his health goals, but the challenge was to make minimum adjustments to his already busy lifestyle as dad/chef/husband/business owner. As an efficient trainer should do, I gave him one thing to do everyday (make and drink a green smoothie) and then kept him accountable for it. Of course with Mataio’s extensive background in food, he took my green smoothie to the next level, creating delicious variations. Some had beets and wheat grass, some had jalepenos and ginger, all were healthy and anything but boring. You can find the original recipe in my Green Smoothie Blog, and all of my clients will attest that this drink is the key to making changes when you start a new personal training program. Mataio recently catered a large event with kids and served his rendition of the smoothie to 80 children who gladly drank their fruits and vegetables for the day, a mother’s dream!
Incognito dining room with family style tables.
Mothers and fathers alike will love Ciao Thyme for a night away from the kids… Which brings me to my next subject: Incognito dinners at Ciao Thyme in the Kitchen. Incognito is a very special monthly dining experience which brings guests closer to the food by seating them right ‘in the kitchen’ where they can watch the magic happen. Elegant dining never tasted so good when Caio Thyme is involved. Mataio uses local and organic produce to create a 4 to 5 course meal that will surely excite your palette. The event’s name Incognito comes from the totally surprise menu that is created each time. You can enjoy meeting new people or enjoy the company of friends at family style tables, leasurely eating your meal and taking time to savor each and every bite. My favorite thing about going to Incognito dinner is that I feel like I am in Europe, actually taking the time to celebrate the act of eating with a community. Matiao and his lovely wife Jessica often educate the group on the history behind the food or share personal stories about their travels abroad to research their favorite styles of cuisine. As you leave Incognito, you will take home a full belly and a truly unique experience to be remembered for years to come.
If you haven’t been to Ciao Thyme, I highly recommend that you check out their Open Tables website for dates and reservations. They also cater events, private parties & weddings and more- see their website for more details. If you are interested in creating your own rendition of a healthy smoothie, try blending the following in a blender or food processor: one diced apple, one diced pear, peeled ginger, kiwi, 1 cup water and ice. Add 3 leaves of kale, 3 leaves of chard and a cup of spinach while it is pureeing. Drink one everyday and enjoy increased energy, improved digestion, weight loss and improved sense of well being.