Yum!

There have been some good, healthy, unique, tastey eats over the past few days.  Thought I would share!  Sorry for my lack of pictures of the concoctions I made, it sure would make this post look amazing.  However, I added some product pictures used in the concoctions that I highly reccommend!

Breakfast:
Green Monster bowls with oats!!!  Hello! These are amazing.  In the green soupy mix...frozen banana, spinach, avacodo or pumpkin, nut butter, coconut butter, oikos nonfat greek yogurt plain, almond milk, sprinkle of spice, ice.  Top with my favorite granola...Galaxy granola!

Lunch: Omelets with sauteed onion, pepper, apples (yes I said apples, thinly smally sliced), arugula, tomato, organic cheese...yum!
Snack: Can't beat a fruit roll-up with strawberries, justins chocolate almond butter and whole wheat wrap. Reminded me of a donut!

Another Snack:  Rice chex mix, mixed nuts, and garbanzo beans, baked with olive oil, worshashire sauce, organic sugar, salt, garlic, and onion powder.   Bake at 350*F for 30ish minutes and you've got a party!!!!

Dinner:  One of my new favorites!!!!  Sauteed onion, mushroom, arugula, and tempeh and roasted butternut squash atop fresh greens with raspberry dressing.  Hell ya!

Dessert:  Heelllooo awesome, healthy brownies!  Thank you rapunzel organic sugar.  It went something like this...One cup sugar, one cup spelt, 1/2 cup cocoa, pinch of salt.  1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/4 cup pumpkin, pinch of vanilla, 2 eggs.  Bake at 375 for 22 min.  Amazing...and the sugar is amazing its unrefined and contains a heafty amount of iron.  Hey women...you think that maybe we crave sweets, especially around that special time, because our body craves iron? It make sense that natural sugar is full of iron and thus, we inately crave it cause we really do need it (the iron that is).  Sucks that most things with sugar these days have the refined sugar with absolutely no nutritive value, only an addictive substance that unfullfills our needs.  Maybe if we stick to the real stuff, we get our iron and sweet fix, and we get satisfied off of a nicely sized square rather than the entire square pan.  Just a thought.  

EAT REAL FOOD....the refined stuff really messes us up!

Another great dessert:  REAL wine....if you can get your hands on this, I highly reccommed it!  Maynard you are beyond genious!

Enjoy!

Ending the year right

Its December, so its almost so long to 2011.  It has been a year full of many changes, challenges, and lessons. On and off work situations, endless job hunt, internship issues, doctoral opportunities, old flings, new flings, trips, workouts, food changes, and growing.  One thing I have come to realize in all of these things is the need to truly listen to your own heart and desires and to try to stop pleasing absolutely everyone.  Do not get me wrong, I am not saying you should be selfish and not think of others.  I'm saying do what you feel is best for you while being selfless to others.  Its an interesting balance, but I have come to realize you can not do good for others when you sacrifice yourself.

That being said, I have a few weeks left to devote to me, and in turn, be available for others.  I am going to focus on what I need to be happy, healthy, and at peace, and share this with others.  As with everything its about balance, self-love, and loving kindness to others!

Open Your Eyes, Heart, and Soul...Discover

The Owl is the bringer of wisdom. The all-seeing owl possesses supernatural qualities and is often associated with intuition, clairvoyance and clairaudience. The Owl’s energy is at its peak in the very heart of darkness. When we are plunged into blindness and disorientation. He penetrates the darkness of the blackest night. Seeing and hearing that which others cannot.

A magical creature of the forest enigmatic and powerful.

If the owl is calling you, or you are aware of the owl being present in your life, dreaming or waking.

You are being called upon to open your eyes, ears and mind to the truth of a situation. To listen to the wisdom deep in your heart and soul. That still small voice is trying to reach you in some way. To assist you or help you in a current challenge you may be facing. 

Tap into the power of the Owl by calling on your own intuition, listen to your own wisdom for there is something you need to see or hear. As the owl is so strongly associated with the night time, his wisdom may come to you while you slumber. So take the time to be aware of your dreams or make a special effort to remember and write down any important dreams you have. The Owl is a messenger that can bring clarity and illumination. 






I open my heart and soul to the truth.
And ask that my life’s journey be illuminated before me,
I ask for the wisdom to see.
Even in the darkness of life’s challenges.
And the ability to manifest my true path

Perfect! Butternut Squash Soup

After a great day of fall weather, what better way to enjoy the flavors of fall, than in a healthy, delicious soup.

1 butternut squash, cubed
3 carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion chopped
2 garlic cloves chopped
2 cans vegetable broth + 1/2 cup water
Parsley, Rosemary, Onion Powder, Black Pepper, and Cinnamon to taste

Sweat oil, onion, and garlic for a few minutes.  Add carrots and celery and saute for 5 more minutes.  Add butternut squash, broth, and spices.  Bring to boil.  Simmer for half hour.  Blend in blender.  Serve and enjoy!!

Pictureless, but Priceless and Some Controversy

I know pictures are worth 1000 words.  Trust me, I wish I had a picture for the two recipes I came up with today.  I'll admit it, I am not great at remembering to photograph my food.  When its made, I like to enjoy it and not let it get cold while I await the perfect lighting for the photo.  Not to mention, I think my camera is broke.  Anyway, onto the pictureless but priceless recipes I felt I just had to post.

So, there is sooo much controversy out there about what is healthy to eat... meat, no meat, grains, no grains, nuts, no nuts, dairy, no dairy, raw veggies, cooked veggies....  I can find arguments for all of the aforementioned foods included or excluded for the ideal diet.  It is all so confusing.  Up until today, I thought whole grains and legumes were a safe bet.  While I try to limit my whole wheat consumption due to this crazy gluten-free fad, I still eat it, along with other whole grains and legumes.  As a former vegan, I relied on these foods and many health professionals highly recommend these products.  But, today I read about the dangers of phytic acid in these foods.  More to come on phytic acid in another post.  But, for now, here is a non-legume and grain, amazing meal....
Arugula, Tomato, Turkey and Cheese Stuffed Mushroom
Serves: 3 light lunches
3 portobello mushroom caps
1T olive oil
1/8 cup chopped onion
1 diced garlic clove
1 T parsley
pinch of salt, pepper
6 slices garden fresh tomato
handful of arugula and spinach chopped
5 slices all-natural turkey
3 slices raw cheddar cheese

Mix together oil, onion, garlic and spices with oil.  Spread on gill side of mushroom (gills removed!).  Place in baking pan with a little water.  Bake in 375* oven for 10 min.
Remove mushrooms and layer greens, tomato, turkey and cheese.  Bake for another 10 min.

After digesting this lunch numero uno, I went for a bike ride at the park.  The weather has been sooo amazing lately.  I got to enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, and beautiful fall colors and the hour long bike ride.  Riding my bike is so meditative for me.  I was thinking about all the nutrition controversy and decided there are two principals that never fail, no matter what you eat.  Balance and moderation.  Ultimately I think a little of everything ethically sourced and from the earth is okay.  Whole, natural foods like grains, meats, dairy, cooked veggies, raw veggies, fruit, nuts...its all okay when consumed with balance and moderation.  So, when I got home, I was hungry for lunch numero two.  I tend to eat to light lunches during the day.  One around 11 or 12 and another around 2 or 3.  It works better for me to not eat too much at one sitting.  Inspired by the fall colors and idea of balance and moderation I made a wicked sandwich....
Pumpkin, Candy Corn, Peanut Butter, Apple Sandwich
Serves: 1 amazing mini-lunch or snack
1 whole wheat burger bun
4 small apple slices
1 Tbsp pumpkin puree (from can)
10 pieces of candy corn
1 Tbsp peanut butter
Dash of pumpkin pie spice

On one side of bun spread peanut butter and layer apple.  On other side spread pumpkin and place candy corns on top.  Sprinkle both sides with spice.  Close up the bun halves and dig in!

I am so intrigued by all of the information out there about the ideal diet.  It is a little frustrating, but, at the same time, very interesting to read through all the info and research. How is it that some health professionals and research says a whole grain, legume, nut, fruit, and veggie rich, vegan diet is the ultimate way to health, while others say a grain-free diet, high in meat and dairy foods is the way to go.  Why is it that some say cooking veggies destroys nutrients but others say you should cook veggies to make nutrients more bioavailable.   As an extremely health conscious nutritionist and someone very interested in foods and diets of peoples, I will continue to seek out the truth.  But until then, I know one thing that works....
Listen 
to Your Body and 
Give it Natural Foods 
with Balance and Moderation

Work It Out!

Lots of my fellow bloggies have been talking about circuit workouts and short, high intensity workouts.  These intense workouts are usually full body workouts that immediately raise your heart rate and keep it elevated during the entire workout.  Basically you are sweating and breathing very hard and utilizing most muscle groups throughout the workout.

I decided to do a circuit workout today.  While, I typically do a decent amount of cardio followed by weights, I really wanted to integrate more of a circuit into my workout.  My goal was to get my heart rate up during short cardio sessions, follow that by full body strength, and repeat.
 So this is what I did:
5 min warm-up bike- Resistance 5, 70ish rpm
     5 min hard bike- Resistance 8, 85-105ish rpm
     Burpee with 5 pushups, Burpee with 4 pushups, Burpee with 3 pushups
     Repeat hard bike and burpees
            5 min elliptical- Incline 7, Resistance 6, 175 strides per minute
            3 sets of 8 pullups and dips each
            5 min elliptical- Incline 15, Resistance 8, 160 strides per minute
            King's chair abs- 3 sets of 8
                        Hamstrings pulls- 3 sets of 8
                        5 pushups
                        1 dolphin plank
                                        Stretch
This workout really got my heart rate and breathing rate up, way more than what I typically get out of a run or elliptical session!! Its great to break a sweat, push yourself, and try something new.  A few hours later and I can already feel it!  Now that is getting something out of your workout!

Following my crazy workout, I needed fuel.  I had baked sweet potato with peanut butter, sauteed spinach and onions, and baked tofu marinated in soy sauce and vinegar.  It was my first time cooking with tofu.  I am still researching the health benefits and possible problems with soy.  There is so much controversy!  More on this to come!

Turning Over a New Leaf

It is officially fall.  I welcome the beautiful trees, all things pumpkin, apple picking, and wineries!  I like the change of seasons as it feels fresh, new, and full of opportunities.  So, with this new season, I have decided to try something new....amping up my blog and actually blogging.
I have read healthy living blogs nearly everyday for the past two years!!  I get awesome recipe ideas, exercise motivation, healthy living inspiration, and many smiles!  I always have wanted to write my own blog, but did not think my recipes, work outs, etc., were interesting enough to blog about.  But, I realized everyone has something to offer, and I would like to be active in the community and tell my own story.  I believe everyone has a unique perspective and we can all learn from others.  Furthermore, I feel there is a great connection and source of support among bloggers.  I would like to be a part of this wonderful energy! So, here it goes...(by the way all the posts prior to this were more reflective journal pieces about personal life events and deep lessons learned).  I always have enjoyed WIAW posts from others, so I am doing a WAIT post to start out my daily posts of food, exercise, and fun!

Eats:
Breakfast: Sprouted Toast with peanut butter and grapes.  I cut the grapes in half and put them on the toast.  Tasted like grape jelly, without the added sugars! No pic...
Lunch:

Lunch: Oats with almond milk, banana, raw protien, cinnamon, and chia seeds.  Sprinkled with granola, walnuts, and dried goji berries, mulberries, and goldenberries.  Yum!

Snack: Sweet Potato and almond butter and coconut. No pic...

Dinner:  Fall Inspired!  It is the first day of fall after all, time to break open the fall squashes!  Inspired by NamasteGurl.

Dinner: Acorn squash topped with stir fried beans, tofu crumbles, broccoli, kale, carrots, apples, and pumpkin seedsl  So good, used coconut oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, cumin, and maple syrup.  

Exercise:  One thing I have noticed from reading many blogs, is that lots of people like to run!  I have always been scared of running and felt like I was not a natural born runner.  Plus, the little bit of jogging I do occasionally bothers my knee.  I occasionally will sprint up a hill while walking outside or jog for about 5 minutes during my fast paced walks, but it always feels awkward and I never really push myself to run more.  There have been a few times I ran a bit longer, but I never really kept it up.  I have been an eliptical, bike, swimming, and fast walking kinda cardio exerciser.  Well, all the reading about people running races and training for races inspired me to give running a shot.  (See, blogs really are inspiring).  I figure if all these people can ran, then so can I!  Prior to jumping on the treadmill to run for real, I read up on proper running form.  I figured I may have been doing it incorrectly and that is why it felt awkward.  I learned to run with your feet right under you, landing more on the balls of the feet rather than the heel.  Run two inches shorter than your walking height, do this by bending at the knee and ankle.  Keep good posture at all times and don't swing the arms too much.  So, with this in mind I got on the treadmill and walked for 5 min, then ran for 5 min.  I did this cycle for an hour!  I could not believe at the end that I had ran for a half hour!  I was smiling and literally wanted to scream out "look at me, i'm running" during the last 5 min run, but I decided better.  I was very proud and thankful to my fellow bloggies for inspiring me!  I did this tues and thurs and can't wait to jump on the treadmill again.  Might I say, I'm addicted already!

Memorable Moments:  Part of my goal with this blog is to learn to embrace EVERY moment....Be completely present and cherish every second of everyday.   Each moment is an opportunity to learn something new and feel inspired.  Each moment is an opportunity to embrace whatever may come.

It's Your Choice

Though part of me wishes I could say that things have settled down and I have it all figured out by now, I am accepting where I am and embracing it. Still on a path for a career that is rewarding and enjoyable. The deli thing was a great experience, and there still may be something there, but for now I am focusing on applications. That is, the GRE, internships, and jobs. I am giving myself a month to get all that not-so-fun stuff out of the way. Then I will reassess things and hopefully get employed. As for the relationship stuff, sure enough, my intuition was right about reuniting with an ex. It was good, but I was not myself, and it ended quickly. I do desire a relationship very much, but I must be myself and love myself for it to succeed. Lesson learned.

I can not be upset, down, and hard on myself for where I am. I truly believe things, events, people, experiences all come into our lives for a reason. I have learned so much about myself from all that I have been through. I would not trade those lessons for anything. So what are those lessons. Happiness is a choice. Thinking good things has a tremendous impact on personal wellbeing. That is why yoga and meditating is so important. Success usually requires a struggle and strength to get there. No "should ofs or should nots" about past events. Acceptance of where you are and always striving to improve. Personal love and acceptance. The importance of being with others and giving to others. Listening to your body. Be yourself. Be at peace.

I've been a passive member of the blogging community for over a year. I have read so many blogs and really enjoy it. I love the connection with people who have similar thoughts about health and wellness. I have learned so much from everyone. Its an amazing community. I think I may start posting a bit, to connect even deeper.

Ananda

I've recently learned that "ananda" in sanskrit means "Bliss". I find this very cool, as my own name is similar and finding "bliss" is one of the ultimate goals of yoga and life. I like that my name closely resembles the sanskrit term and each time I think of this it helps to continue on my path to bliss.

Of course, too much time has passed since my last post. Not gonna lie, its been a little rough, but there have been some amazing blessings along the way. "Sometimes its rough, sometimes its gentle, but its never anything I can not handle." This lame quote I made up takes me back to the beach in Grenada. Yes, Grenada! I participated in a two week intensive program to become a Certified Yoga Teacher. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. First of all, the setting, La Luna, was beyond beautiful. The training itself, not only taught me more about yoga, but also, a lot about myself. Something I desperately needed. To recap some of the many lessons I took away from this trip...the Ashtanga sequence, my love and need for yoga, to stop doubting myself, my ability, and my dreams, to stop comparing myself to others, impermance and nonattachment, present moment, energies of everything, loving myself, letting go, and breathing! I still think the song lateralus sums it all up...I love Tool!

So, back to the here and now. The craziness that was my relationships this past summer and fall has completely faded away....I am certain this calmness is for me to have time to figure things out and most importantly figure me out. I am bound and determined to enter my next relationship as only myself.

Career...hmmmm, still a rough patch, but I do believe I am on the right path. And as long as I am moving in the right direction, that is all that matters!! Hopefully will be the manager of a healthy deli, getting things in line for an internship (finally), and keeping an open mind.

My love for baking and cooking is still strong and my skills are improving. As is my realtionship with food. I am desperately trying to change my internal dialouge of telling myself I am fat, cause I am not. In trying to live out the lessons I learned in Grenada, that I need to learn to love myself, I tell myself I am beautiful. I am trying very hard to eat more intuitively, based on what I am truly craving from the standpoint of what my body needs for nourishment. I eat as healthy and delicious as possible and try hard to do this only for nourishment of the body...not boredom, deppression, or emptyiness. In this way, I can have a great relationship with food with no guilt attached to the fabulous Banana Split Pancakes I just made and devoured and truley enjoyed every single bite.

Recipe: Blissful Banana Split Pancakes

.25 cup buckwheat flour

.25 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanila

.5 cup (plus more) almond milk

Toppings:

.5 banana

.5 TBSP strawberry preserve

.5 TBSP peanut butter

Sprinkle of coconut and chocolate chips

Spoonful of Peanut butter, chocolate, maple ganache

Topped with a cherry

With that, I feel so very content. I shall take this contentment with me throughout the afternoon. May I be content with myself, my actions, and my thoughts.