11.28.2011

Monday Fun-day





Monday!!
Why is it always the most painful experience peeling myself out of bed Monday morning? It's amazing how it doesn't take long to get out of the habit of rising early. I wouldn't say I am a morning person, but, I do love starting my day as early as possible.

It is officially the countdown until 2012....crazy! It will be a whirlwind of family friends & food for the next month. I love it!! What is scary to me is the madness of the retail world this time of year. I am a huge proponent of online shopping....convenient!! What has gone so terribly wrong? People being hurt, shot, pepper sprayed all in the name of saving a few bucks. That's some scary shit.
Needless to say......I may be baking my gifts this year!!! and donating in honor of.

11.25.2011

Post T-Day


Every year I am reminded about my most favorite meal.....Thanksgiving! Yesterday was full of delectable treats. My mother makes the most amazing cranberry sauce & vegan stuffing....thank you mom!! I tried a  new recipe myself.

11.21.2011

FAVS

Every blog that I read has a post about their favorite things. I am jumping onto that band wagon!!
The holidays are always a time of giving and receiving.
Last year I donated money to OXFAM for a lot of the people on our list.
What will this year bring!?

Just a few ideas.......

The Corkcicle



Seems to be the perfect gift for the Wino in your life.....oh.....thats me!

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Crysanthemum Slippers


Get a little funky with at least your slippers!

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A beautiful vase!


Fill it with flowers or sweet treats!

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Even in Florida............


You can't go wrong with an organic scarf.

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Browse through the OXFAM website and see how your gifts can make a difference.

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Tea!!

Who doesn't like tea? It's a great gift and encourages health.

Teavana is a great local source for all things tea. You can also look online at Art of Tea , The Tea Spot , or find a local tea house to explore!

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These are just a few of my favorite things to experience and share!!

xoxo









Mantra??


Buddy Miles Davis!

I just can't get enough of this little man.

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" One-quarter of what you eat keeps you alive. The other three-quarters keeps your doctor alive."
-Unknown

This is a scary statement but seems to be the growing truth. 
As much as I respect the medical field.....I have no interest in paying for their lifestyle!
Even though I cringe at how much money I spend at Whole Foods I like to think of it as an investment in my future. I would rather spend this money now on great food then spend it later on hospital bills. Call me crazy, which many do, but this makes total sense to me.

" He that takes medicine and neglects diet, wastes the time of his doctor."
- Ancient Chinese Proverb

So much of our quality of live lives in the food we eat. Just as important as what we put into our bodies is what we are influenced by in the rest of our lives.

The people we are surrounded by.

The exercise we do.

The music we listen to.

BALANCE

The ever pulsing energy around us.....do we vibrate at a high level.....or low?
Are we energetic or tired?
Are we joyful or somber?
Are we motivated or lazy?

These are questions I have asked myself time & time again. Always checking back in to where the energy lies. There will always be an ebb & flow, but, how do we keep ourselves in a mostly state of grace?

I find that reminding myself to be gracious with every situation is my key to success. As I remind my yoga students all of the time.....show up...no expectations....no judgement. Just go with the flow!
This has become my mantra.

Let Go!!!

What keeps you centered? Balanced? Do you have a go-to Mantra?


Practice and all is coming!!
- Sri K Patabhi Jois


11.14.2011

Immuni- tea

There is a blog that I love by
Barbara Mendez.

She has a new offering called Motivational Mondays.



Mondays motivational video was about the benefits of lemon and ginger in our diets.
I try to drink warm lemon water every morning & always eat the pickled ginger on my sushi plate!

Of course there is always a better way to get the benefits of something so yummy than eating it once in a while.


Since the season is changing and everyone seems to have a sniffle....I wanted to share this immune booster.


Immuni-tea!!

Super simple and tasty.

Warm water
chopped ginger = anti-inflammatory
lemon & peel= alkaline
fresh sage = good for anything bronchial related
lemongrass root = anti fungal

let it steep......strain.....voila!
Enjoy all of these immune boosting elements or just a couple of them.
Thank you Barbara for the continued education & inspiration.
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Forks Over Knives

This a documentary that I happened to find on Netflix.
It turns out to be a film having to with The China Study.
( on my Shelfari )

I recommend to everyone that you take an hr & a 1/2 of your time and watch this.

It is a reminder of why it is so important to lead a conscious and healthy life.

I totally subscribe to what is being communicated in this film and would love for everyone to at least have this knowledge.
Do with it what you will.
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peace & light

Have a beautiful weekend!!

xoxo








11.10.2011

Sweet Tooth Fo Sho!

So..............

I have quite the ravenous sweet tooth.
Thats probably why I don't allow myself to bake anything.
I like to keep it savory!!

I also had a scary run in with some vegan chocolate chip cookies that ended up being greasy hard frisbees.

Until now......

Once I saw this recipe and had to go for it!!

Gluten free....vegan....NOT low fat.....Pumpkin Gooey Bars.

Yum & Yum






Ingredients:


3 cups gluten-free oat flour (make your own by grinding rolled oats in a blender)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup canola oil, plus more for pan
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon gluten-free vanilla
2 cups allergen-free chocolate chips

What You Do:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly oil a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin with baking powder. Add oil, sugar, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients, one half at a time, and stir to combine. Mix in chocolate chips.

3. Pour batter into pan. With damp hands, press batter to evenly fill pan. Bake 18 minutes, and cool completely before cutting into bars.







Enjoy with some almond milk!!



Ta Da!!!


My co-workers will enjoy these because I surely can't keep them at home!!


I hope that everyone is enjoying this amazing weather!!

xoxo



11.09.2011

Kefir what?!!?

I am forever on the search for the best way to find balance in the body.

This means good poops....clear skin.....and no gas!!

Is that too much to ask for?

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I have had my fare share of issues with all 3 of these.
wha wha......

So...... I am going to hopefully create the all in one solution to my lifelong quest of balance in my gut.

 Drum roll please........




KEFIR!!!



 I have ordered Kefir Grains on Amazon ( Favorite Finds Page) and will use coconut water.
There are many ways to make Kefir, coconut water, plain water, milk, apple juice.


* youtube.com......amazing resource *

As long as there is a sugar source for the "grains" to eat they will create a fermented drink that is most amazingly healthy for the body.


There will be directions on how to "awaken" the grains if you have bought them dried.
You can also get them from a friend, they multiply every time you make a batch,  so you don't have to do through the extra hassle.



I had 2 thai young coconuts that I cut open and saved the water from.
I actually combined that with some water (filtered) to make a full liter in my jar.

Then add in the Kefir Grains.

Put in a seal-able GLASS container.

Sit in warmish dark place for 24-48 hrs.

When fizzy it is ready.



I have been drinking about 1/4 cup in the morning first thing on an empty stomach.
It tastes like a mix between vinegar and coconut water.
It's do-able and from what I read VERY worth it.
So far so good!!



" The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition."
- Thomas Edison


xoxo



Almost Full...

A few images taken over the weekend........

Tomorrow is a full moon.....oooooooo!

I have always wanted to attend a full moon party. The kind where there are hundreds of people dancing and drumming and going crazy. It's on the bucket list for sure!

This week begins, what feels like, a marathon of exciting events!
I am not complaining because I am excited to have so many options here in South Fl!!

Friday kicks off the Yoga Fest @ the International Polo Club.
Friday night FREE concert and class....Jai Uttal!

Saturday we are going to the Boca Food & Wine festival.
Then it's off to Swampgrass Willies in PGA for Reborn Highways Final performance......for the time being.

It's a whirlwind of exciting happenings for sure.


Maybe I will see you there!

peace & light

xoxo

11.04.2011

Friday Fun-day!!

Another week zoomed by!!
Isn't it crazy how these days go by so quickly.
I feel as if my life is busier than ever and the busier I am the faster it goes. I know for sure that I need to find balance in this coming year.
I am already thinking about this new year to come.
It's not even a couple of months away!!

It's all about BALANCE.

Speaking of balance....I have recently started wheel throwing!
It's one of those things I have always wanted to do and I am finally doing it.
Pretty cool!
I have an awesome teacher, Jesse, @ The Armory Art Center in WPB.
This a place of magic and creativity..... covered in sculpture and color and whimsical creations. I am happy that I finally found a place there.


These are my first creations.....tomorrow I learn to trim and glaze.
So exciting!!

The Holidays are officially in full swing. Christmas music everywhere.....have we had Thanksgiving yet?!

My mantra is to breathe and to slow down.

breathe, breathe, breathe!

Enjoy this beautiful weather & have a safe weekend.

love & light

xoxo





11.01.2011

the after math.....

It was an amazing Hallows Eve this year!
We delighted in Chandler & Daryl's hospitality and
Josh & I even won a costume contest!!!




( I am running because Waldo runs!!........right?  )


( What a supportive husband! )




This was the first time that my parents & Greg and Marcy had ever dressed up for Halloween.
It was a great time for all!

Next stop...... Thanksgiving!

Welcome to November and all of the fun times that come with it. Lots of food & family & time to contemplate what we are thankful for.

I am forever thankful for this life and all of the people that grace it.

Wishing everyone a holiday season full of laughter and stress free fun!!

peace, light, grace

xoxoxo