Fudge in 5

Fudge in 5

2 Cups of Macadamia nuts

1/2 Cup of Cacao Powder

1/2 Cup of Maple Syrup

3 T Cacao Nibs

1 T Mint Extract (optional)

1 T coconut oil (optional)

pinch of sea salt

Using a Food Processor pulse everything but maple syrup until it forms a thick dough. Then, slowly drizzle the maple syrup until fully blended.  Using a spatula, place the batter on a wax paper lined large plate or a glass container. Freeze. Remove and cut into desired size. Store in the refrigerator.

Bamm.. fudge in 5 blissful minutes!

Or 7 if you want to lick the food processor  

This is one of my favorite recipes for fudge as it is quick and simple with minimal healthy ingredients.  To be honest, I usually find a great hiding spot in the back of the refrigerator and save it all for myself. Opps! Yeah, it’s that good!

Macadamia Nuts are nutritional powerhouse with a rich buttery crunch.  High in monounsaturated fats, which assist in healthy cholesterol levels. Great source of protein and amino acids, and fiber. Also contain important antioxidants, such as vitamin E and selenium, and other phytonutrients.

 Personal transformation can and does have global effects.

As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us.

The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one.-Marianne Williamson

Namaste!

Smile... Beet Ginger and Coconut Soup

What makes you smile?

I want to share an experience I had recently as the effects are still blissfully lingering.

Reflective and open space is of high value personally, especially with my busy lifestyle.  Rarely, do I get a full day to ‘just be’ and enjoy the little things in life at a more relaxed pace.

So, my friend and I both enjoy riding bikes, and had a great idea to take the day to fully experience an adventurous bike ride. Early morning we set an open agenda to park in Chestnut Hill and see where that takes us.  No plans, no expectations, basket with a few organic energy bars, one organic chocolate bar, and two curious playful people.  (Opps… we forgot water somehow) 

We started on the trails at Valley Green Park which is absolutely beautiful. Mother nature is quite the cure for me, which instantly transforms my state into deeply connected and receptive. I remember stopping a few times, glancing up and appreciating the simple pleasure of vision, that somehow is often taken for granted.  Although I love New York City and visit often, Philadelphia is humorously foreign to me.  

We followed the path that lead to Kelly Drive and shortly realized our lost appreciation for clean air. Arrived at the Art Museum with high energy spontaneously dancing with ‘Zumba on the Steps’,  and feeling expansive in all of possibilities the city had to offer. On a side note, I childishly imagined a summer-like day, proudly wore shorts, and the only extra clothing I brought was a tank top. ( Yikes, at 9 am early May riding a bike in shorts-goosebumps!)  Stopped at American Apparel and bought a pair of leopard print leggings. YES! : ) We rode around on many streets that were foreign, besides Samson where I got a parking ticket a few months back. Had great adventures in China town while looking for Shiatsu supplies. Bought favorites at Whole Foods for a lovely picnic, and then questioned my strength and ability to make it back after relaxing on the ground. Well, I did make it and with a high sense of accomplishment. 

You see, I tried to explain minute details but I purposely left out the finale. Most importantly, I had a contagious smile the whole entire day. A genuine smile with direct eye contact to all whom crossed paths. The power of connection though a smile is incredibly powerfully.  After days of reflection on this experience, I realized the power of connection is the effects I am still reminiscing. Connection to every person I came in contact with, mother nature, and the essence of Philadelphia. This day is stored in great memory with a broad sense of liberation.   A physical memory I have of this is not only my new leopard print leggings but also my sore face from a frozen smile.  Life is good! Enjoy the small pleasures and leave open space for new adventures.

Amen!

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.”- Joseph Addison

Beet Ginger and Coconut Soup

1-3 T of coconut oil

3 large red beets, scrubbed clean and cut into 1/4 inch pieces 

(fyi, I don’t peel my beets. especially if they are organic)

1-3 T fresh minced ginger

1 large yellow onion, diced

3 large cloves of garlic, minced

dash of cayenne pepper

dash of red pepper flakes

1 can of full fat coconut milk

4-5 cups of veggie stock or clean water with miso and curry

sea salt and pepper to taste

In a large soup pan heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beets, garlic and ginger. Cook for about 3-5 more minutes stirring often. Add 4 cups of veggie stock or water with miso/curry,  and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer for about 25 minutes.  Add cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes. Make sure beets are fork tender and then carefully with a blender or immersion blender puree the soup. (Add more water if it is too thick.) Add coconut milk. Stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 

Serve warm and enjoy!

Namaste! 

Prana

 What is Prana? (प्राण)

Prana is a Sanskrit word that translates to ‘vital life’.  Prana is the universal  principle of energy or force. Heat, light, electricity, magnetism are manifestations of prana. It is supplied by food, water, air, solar energy, etc. The supply of prana is taken up by the nervous system. The prana in the air is absorbed by breathing. The excess is stored in the brain and nerve centers. Did you ever feel sensations in your yoga practice that felt as though the wave of prana moved you? Why does a balanced yoga practice effect you on more than just physical level?

In all traditions of ancient yoga, including the Saraswati lineage, carried on by Yogasphere, we are told there are 72,000 nadis or pathways that prana flows through as it manifests from the formless. As these 72,000 channels are cleared out, prana has a chance to manifest from the universal spirit and find a natural expression of joy and happiness when it reaches the surface of thought and action. Thought is the basis of action and prana is the basis of thought.  Allowing prana to flow freely with organic movement manifests a source of thought that is beyond time and space, taping into the universal consciousness.

In that pure space, anything is possible.

 

A good yoga class can offer a creative flow to tap into your expression of prana in that moment.  To be fully present with the body, mind, and soul, allowing a deCeper sense of movement to own you. We have all experienced ‘being in our own way’ at some point in life, therefore surrendering to the breath and allowing it to move you is where the healing takes place.

Foods that are untouched in the most pure form have highest levels of prana. Try incorporating more colorful foods from mother earth, having a loving clear flow of energy where your food in prepared, and last but not least, prayer and loving intentions transferred to your food. Why not save a few cows and try a higher vibe burger?

Prana Filled Quiona Burgers

• 3 cups of cooked quiona
• 1 cup cooked black beans
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup pine nuts or pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup raw, diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced sweet red pepper
• Bread crumbs or rice flour

Cook onions if desired. Combine everything except quinoa and bread crumbs/rice flour in food processor or blender. Mix blended mixture and quinoa together. Divide into “burgers”, roll in bread crumbs or flour to make a “crust”. Pan fry in olive oil or ghee until browned.  Send your loving intentions into the finished burger.  Awesome served on any type of bread, wrap or lettuce/collard wrap.

“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” 

 -Marianne Williamson

Namaste!

Out with the Old, in with the new: HEMP!

Pumpkin… Flax…. Chi Chi CHIA

Are so old news..

Make room for the new and improved!

HEMP! 

 

 Hemp Seeds have an incredible nutritional profile!

Hemp seeds are truly a super food, as they are packed with an impressive list of nutritional attributes. Perfectly balanced with a three to one omega-6 to omega-3 oil ratio, they are also an excellent source of gamma linoleic and acid (GLA)- which our bodies can’t make and we must get in food. It contains important nutrients like iron, magnesium, and vitamin E. Hemp is a complete protein, meaning it can provide your body with all of the essential amino acids, a definite plus for vegetarians and vegans.

Also, hemp protein powder and hemp oil are amazing additions to a healthy diet.

Hemp seeds come from the hemp plant, which can produce a wide range of materials, according to Paul Benhaim in the book "A Modern Introduction to Hemp: From Food to Fibre: Past, Present and Future." These include clothing, paper, building materials, beverages, cosmetics, fuel and food.

"An acre of the best ground for hemp, is to be selected and sewn in hemp and be kept for a permanent hemp patch." - Thomas Jefferson's Garden book 1849

Save the world! J

Caution: Eating the super food hemp seeds, may cause superhuman powers.

Personally, I buy hemp seeds by 3 or 5lbs bags and love to find creative ways to use these little magic jewels. So whether you are in my hemp seed fan club, or never have tried them, I will leave you with a favorite spring and summer recipe containing hemp seeds. I’ve shared hemp seed tabouli with bunches of people and it always resulted in a happy face, and sometimes a happy dance. 

Hemp Seed Tabouli

1-2 bunches of parsley, de-stemmed, cleaned and dried

2 cups of grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

1 large shallot minced

1 cup of hemp seeds

(optional dried black Peruvian olives sliced)

1. Place all ingredients in a large bowl.

Dressing:

½ cup lemon juice

½ cup olive oil

1 T sea salt

1-3 drops each of lemon myrtle and sweet basil, therapeutic grade essential oil

2. Hand mix or mix in a high speed blender, then hang mix into salad.

3. Pray loving intention for your lovely food and pray for superpowers.

*When possible use organic

 

Happy Day! Stay Funky Fresh, My Friends!
"If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson

Earth Loving Green Gazpacho

Energy goes where attention flows, is an amazing transformational mantra to live by. Let’s cultivate healing of our mother earth,  and focus on ways to open up the process.

Here are a few eco tips for you to consider:

Eat organic: Organic crops are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Choosing organic foods is a great way to boost your health and the health of the planet.

Go green as you clean: Most commercial cleaning products contain toxins that are not only harmful to your health, but they are damaging our environment. Switch to natural ingredients such as, white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice for a fresh, clean home.

 Bring your own bag: Shopping with reusable bags made from canvas, cloth or nylon instead of paper or plastic is a simple way to reduce pollution and shrink your environmental impact.

Switch to cold water: Did you know that almost 90% of energy consumed by the washing machine is from heating water? By simply washing your clothes in cold water you’ll save energy and money.

If you would like to share any earth loving tips, please comment bellow.

Green Gazpacho Soup for EARTH DAY

• 4 large cucumbers, (peeled and seeds removed, chopped into large pieces)
• 2 Cups of clean water
• 2 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, and scooped out
• 3 medium garlic cloves
• 2 medium green bell peppers, chopped in large pieces
• 4 green onions, chopped in large pieces
• Juice of 1-1/2 lemons
• 1/3 small bunch fresh cilantro  or herbs of choice
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Paprika
• drizzle of olive oil

Set aside a few sprigs of optional herbs for garnish. In a food processor or blender, add cucumber, avocado, garlic, peppers, and green onions. (If using a blender rather than a food processor, add the cucumbers slowly at first, blending as you go, so there’s a liquid base for the other ingredients.) Blend until creamy, adding water a little at a time to reach desired consistency. Add lemon juice, cilantro, salt, pepper, and cayenne.  Serve with paprika, olive oil, and herbs for garnish. ENJOY!  

“The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.”
― Marianne Williamson

Namaste

Salad Power

It’s that time of year for…. SALADS!

Yeahhhh… Super size my salad please!  

You see, eating a big ol’ bowl full of vegetables and plant based protein is completely satisfying.

Do you get enough greens in your diet? What kind of greens do you eat?

This is a great time to add new green vegetables to your diet. Whether they are raw, cooked, juiced, or blended- does not matter. Try new ways! If you don’t quite have the taste in your pallet for greens yet, keep trying and you will soon surprise yourself. The health promoting qualities are amazing: balance ph, essential fatty acids and minerals, enzymes,  antioxidants, and a variety of phyto-nutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. 

Lentil Salad:

2 Cups of Black Lentils, about 4 Cups of clean water, and 2 T grapeseed oil

3 Carrots, peeled

2 Heads of Endive or any other green, sliced

1 Red Pepper, diced

1 Cup of Dill and Parsley (Optional Shallots, diced)

Dressing:

Lemon Juice, Ume Plum Vinegar, Olive Oil or Pumpkin Seed Oil,  Sea Salt, Optional Chili Flakes

 

Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Then mix (by hand or blender) the dressing ingredients. Hand mix the dressing into the lovely salad.

Please feel free to modify to your taste and preferences. Enjoy!

“You know you had an AMAZING hot yoga class when you walk out with wrinkled hands.” -Kimberly

Let’s hear some feedback on the hot yoga classes!

Namaste!

Sun Lovin' Sea Weed Salad

Enjoy the sun!

Ate lunch outside on my yoga mat. This salad is delicious.  

Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.
Marianne Williamson

Seaweed Salad:

3 Cups of shredded cabbage

5 Carrots diced

2 Cups of radish (black and daikon)

1 red bell pepper sliced

1 cucumber sliced

1 bunch of green onions sliced

1/2 cup dried seaweed soaked (I like hijiki)

1/4 cup sesame seeds (white or black) soaked

Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl.

Dressing: Ume plum vinegar, brown rice vinegar, soy sauce or coconut amnions, coconut sugar or honey, sesame oil, green tea wasabi oil, mandarin therapeutic grade essential oil

Hand mix by shaking in jar or blend in a blender. Then mix the dressing with the salad. Will remain fresh for days refrigerated.

Seaweed is a remarkably rich source of minerals which it extracts from the sea water it grows in. Seaweed contains most of the major as well as minor minerals required for good health, including sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus, iodine, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, molybdenum, fluoride, manganese, boron, nickel and cobalt. Also it is  attributed with a variety of health-promoting properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Namaste!