Week Forty Two: What's Your Theme Song?

Music is incredibly magical and therapeutic.  Because it inspires, motivates and creates memories, I encourage you to pick a theme song as you make your resolutions this year.  Choose a song that inspires and tells the story of you in 2011.  Over the next week, try to let a song pick you, you'll know when you hear it.  It tells your story and when it plays you are motivated to run a little faster, ride a little longer or practice a little stronger.  It makes you stop and listen or maybe get up and dance.
When you hear your song, you will be reminded of the goals you set this week and will be driven to stay, or get back, on track.  When you hear your song you will feel, unstoppable.
Whatever your resolutions are, pay attention over this next year how often you hear your song just exactly when you need to hear it.  Play your song on days when you need that extra lift - just once or repeatedly is good too.  You won't tire of your song.
Have fun with this and cheers to new beginnings!  Oh, and my 2010 song was Unwritten (Natasha Bedingfield) and my 2011 song is even better.
~one body, one life~
Jennifer
p.s. pass this on...

Week Forty One: Gifts You Will Love To Give And Receive!

This is a great gift for anyone on your list.  After reading through this alphabetized produce book that highlights the important qualities of many fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and herbs as well as how to use them in recipes, you will feel confident in any produce aisle.

Consider buying a share in a local, organic, co-op (or CSA, community supported agriculture) farm.  Most every city has them and they are a wonderful.  You can pick your own produce each week, help on the farm if that's your thing, or just pick up  your weekly selection of fresh fruits and vegetables at a designated location.  You'll not only save money doing this, you'll also be sure that you're getting the freshest produce around and doing your part for our beautiful environment by staying local!  Here is a link to get you started

http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

I can't say enough about this product or this company.  Organic, gluten free, Keeki products are wonderful for adults and kids alike.  Another helpful link to the website to get you there faster!

http://www.keekipureandsimple.com/home

I am a huge fan of all of the SmartWool products - warm and comfortable!  Check them out.

https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm#/EcomLanding/Womens/1/

The VitaMix blender.  I can't say enough about this product.  I use it everyday at least once a day, most often 2-3 times.  Great for smoothies, sauces, blending, chopping - you name it, this blender does it!

A lavender eye pillow.  My sweet husband bought me one last Christmas and I love the ritual of putting it over my eyes and smelling the fragrant, relaxing lavender before falling asleep.  This particular pillow  is eco-delicious and I wish I knew the name of it to share with you.  I don't, but that doesn't mean you can't be savvy enough to search the internet to find one for yourself or a loved one. 

~One Body, One Life~

Jennifer

Week Forty: I'll have a skinny holiday season please...

Reality check in time ladies and gentlemen!  It is two weeks until the new year and how are you doing?  Are you being naughty or nice...to your body?  Are you exercising regularly or telling yourself it is okay to take a break and start again in 2011?  Are you eating a diet of mainly healthy, nutrient dense foods or are you overindulging in holiday sweets because Christmas comes only once a year?
If you find yourself on the naughty list, here are some tips to help you get through the next two weeks and when you turn the calendar to January 1, 2011 you can be proud that the numbers on your scale are not reading "help".
-Replace one meal a day with a green smoothie.  Low in calories and the energy and health benefits are out of this world!
-Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate with water, water, water.  Can't say enough about this - just do it now and thank me later.
-Experiment with raw, vegan foods.  There are so many wonderful books, blogs and websites available to help you.
-EXERCISE everyday for at least 30 minutes.  Do it for an hour a day and you'll be amazed at how great you feel in 2 weeks.
-Tempted by sweets?  Imagine yourself on a beach or at a pool where you will most likely be in a few months on vacation.
-Try on warm weather clothes or better yet, your swimsuit.  Do you like what you see?  I hope so and let's keep it that way!
-If you do overindulge one day, detox the next day.  Drink water, a green smoothie or two, and just like that, good as new!
Best of luck with your eating and exercise over the next two weeks!  If the scale has already moved up a notch or two, don't fret just get back on track today.
~One Body, One Life~
Jennifer

Week Thirty Nine: Vegan (or raw!) Avocado-Chile Soup

This soup can be raw or cooked - either way it is vegan and delicious!

2 cloves garlic
2 chile peppers, seeds removed - jalapeno, serrano or pablano.  I use serrano.
2-3 ripe avocados
3 TBLS fresh lime or lemon juice
1 tsp hot, chile sauce
2 cups rice milk
1/2 cup fresh cilantro (I have substituted 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander  if fresh cilantro is unavailable)
1/4 tsp cumin
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 TBLS EVOO
1/2 cup minced yellow onion
When making this raw, simply add all ingredients (minus the EVOO) to a high speed blender for  1 minute or until smooth and creamy.  Pour into small glasses and sip!

If enjoying this as a cooked soup.  Blend avocado, peppers, cilantro, hot sauce,  lime/lemon juice, cumin, salt, pepper,  1 cup rice milk in a high speed blender for 1 minute.  Saute onion over medium heat in 2 tablespoons of EVOO until soft, add avocado mixture and another cup of rice milk.  Simmer  for 5-10 minutes before enjoying.  

For a more pureed soup, which is what I prefer,  add sauteed onions and second cup of rice milk to blender with avocado mixture and blend before simmering for 5-10 minutes.  

*This recipe was written as a cooked soup (Natural Health magazine).  I blended it into a raw soup and it's now one of my favorites!

Week Thirty Eight: Balance, Balance, Balance

As we all know, life is full of surprises and we never quite know what is lurking around the next bend.  Creating a harmonious flow of balance in our lives helps sustain our strength and moves us gracefully through daily challenges. Here are some simple and manageable ways to create more balance in your life starting today!

Create a personal, happy place in your home.  This is a place that allows you to feel whatever you are needing more of - relaxation, creativity, energy.   I have two spaces like this in my home.  One is my exercise, meditation area.  I love this space - from the color, to the natural sunlight coming into the room.  There is always music playing and there seems to be an abundance of positive energy flowing through this room.  In my work/create area, I bought a beautiful antique table that came from Italy with a lot of history.  Again, this space has natural sunlight coming in all day and I try to keep the area free of clutter.   Neither of these spaces is very large because what really matters is that I created the spaces to suit my needs and in them I am inspired, creative, energetic and happy.  

Say goodbye to the toxic relationships in your life.   Feel good about this, not only are you releasing yourself from the stress of a demanding relationship, but you are helping the other person to move on as well.  People are brought to us during our lives for different reasons and not necessarily for the long haul.  Accept that and move on if you find yourself in a friendship that continually leaves your feeling frustrated, angry or sad.  

p.s. spouses are the exception to this - consider counseling before moving on.

Remain thankful.  This can be difficult during challenging times, but is so rewarding when remembered.  Giving thanks, whether it's to the universe or to God, for all of the blessings that come your way is a humbling and enlightening experience.  When you can look at your life on a bad day and say "thank you for the lessons in this" or "thank you for believing that I have the strength to take on these challenges" it is truly amazing how your day changes.  Where your thoughts are is where you will be.

Choose your battles.  Whether it's with your boss, kids, friends, spouse, partner...choosing what battles are worth debating is key to staying in balance.  Not every issue is worth a conversation or argument.  Anyone who knows me, knows that this is difficult for me.  I am an energetic aries, and more often than not, the ram in me comes out.  I have to work hard to remember that my way  is not always the best way for everyone.  I have learned to stop and ask myself  "how much does this really affect me and my day?"  Taking all of the ego out of the equation is tough stuff!  Another question I find myself asking is, " will the person involved be happier if I give in, or let this go?"  If the answer is yes and my day can go on peacefully then it's worth the consession.  

Find your meditation.  This is different for everyone.  Some people find solace in yoga or running, some, an actual meditation or prayer practice.   Find your meditation.  What is it that you do that allows you to feel restored?  For me it is all of the above.  There are days I need one more than the other so that is what I do.  On cold winter days it may be as simple as 30 minutes in a hot sauna or steam room.  Take this time for yourself,  you need and deserve it - there is nothing sexy about being a martyr. 

Simplify.  Having an over abundance of material *things* taking up space in your life leaves less room for clarity.  Keep the things that have meaning and sell or donate the things that do not.  Clean out closets, especially this time of year and take extra cold weather gear to local shelters or the Salvation Army.  Ask yourself this question as you go through your things,  "can someone else who needs this benefit more than my wanting this?"

There are many ways to create and keep balance in your life, these are just a few.  But... 

there are also days that, no matter how hard you try, you are going to feel out of balance or just a little "off".  On these days consider this as your mantra "keep calm and carry on".  

Have a beautifully balanced day today!

~One Body, One LIfe~

Jennifer

Week Thirty Seven: Raw Flatbread Pizza Recipe

Experimenting with raw, vegan foods has been my passion for a couple of years now.  Often I use recipes from my favorite raw cuisine books, however lately I have found myself experimenting and creating my own recipes.  This is how I have always cooked.  I begin with a recipe from a book or magazine and alter it to what I have on hand.  Although I am very organized, I am not always so good at planning ahead.  I tend to live in the moment and when the mood strikes and something looks or sounds good I'm all over it!  So, these flatbreads are my recent creation and they really are as delicious as they look.  Bon appetit!

Flatbread
3-4 small yellow onions thinly sliced in a food processor
1 cup ground flax seed
1 spaghetti squash, peeled and grated, in a food processor
1/3 cup good soy sauce, either Nama Shoyu or Tamari (gluten free)
1/3 cup cold pressed EVOO
Mix ingredients in large bowl.  Spread evenly onto dehydrrator tray lined with Teflex sheet, parchment paper works as well.  Dehydrate 12 hours at 110º.  Remove bread from Teflex sheet, turning it over onto an unlined tray and returning to dehydrator for another 12 hours at 110º.

Remove and cut into squares, a pizza cutter works well.  You may like your bread a little crispier, just return to dehydrator for another couple of hours.  As this does take some time and planning, I make crackers and breads at the beginning of each week so I have them on hand.

Sauce
1/1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
1/1/2 cups sun-dried tomatoes, soaked 30 minutes
1/2 cup water
1 tsp dried oregano
4-5 basil leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
Blend all ingredients in high speed blender or food processor for 30-45 seconds

Cheese

2 cups cashews, soaked for 2 hours and rinsed well

1 cup nutritional yeast

1 clove garlic

1/2 small onion

1/2 cup water

dash cayenne pepper

dash of sea salt

Blend ingredients in high speed blender until smooth.  I use less water and pour it in as needed, until smooth being careful not to over dilute.  Consistency should be thick enough to use as a spread.

This cheese is delicious as a dip, spread, sauce.  Keep refrigerated for up to a week.

I used a variety of toppings on the flatbreads.  The olives were a perfect pairing with the garlic and onion in the bread and cheese.  Fresh tomatoes and basil were perfect as well.  Spread a thin layer of sauce and then cheese onto flatbreads.  Top with your favorite vegetables and again, Bon appetit!

~One Body, One Life~

Jennifer