bodysoulconnect

What's In Your Muffin?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:06:21 -0500

Here’s what’s in mine…

1 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup agave
1/3 cup pure dark maple syrup
2 large eggs
2+ ripe bananas
1/3 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
1 cup organic frozen blueberries

SO GOOD! Here’s how you make them…

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or grease the pan
In a bowl, whisk together flours, wheat germ, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat butter, agave & maple syrup with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In another bowl, mash bananas with a fork (you should have 3/4 cup); stir in almond milk and vanilla.
With mixer on low, alternately add flour mixture and banana mixture to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix just until combined. Fold in frozen blueberries.
Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 28 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Let cool in pan 10 minutes; transfer muffins to a rack to cool 10 minutes more.

This is an adaptation from a recipe I found on EverydayFood. The agave and maple syrup have a lower glycemic index than the granulated sugars, which is always a benefit and I use Almond Milk because I don’t do regular milk. I also use less salt and a bit more banana. Next I’d like to try making them with different flours… that’s another day though. These are fantastic.

I’ll be pretending that I’m sitting in this picture...

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:26:56 -0500

I’ll be pretending that I’m sitting in this picture during tomorrow morning’s meditation.

I’ve been a fan of this saying for a while…...

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:16:41 -0500

I’ve been a fan of this saying for a while… I’ve actually internalized it slightly differently though, having first heard it from Dr. Wayne Dyer who says “You attract what you believe you are”. The bottom line is that your life will fall in line with whatever your dominant beliefs and thoughts are. That said, isn’t it worth fine-tuning your mindset on a regular basis?

tylerknott:

“The mind is everything. What you think you become.” -Buddha-

Buddha in Halves BW (via Tyler Knott Flickr)

Healthy, Tasty & Efficient Breakfast

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:17:06 -0500

Last night I soaked a big scoop of chia seeds in about 3/4 cup of almond milk - this morning I pulled it out of the fridge and lo & behold.. it was like a thick tapioca. I drizzled just a little raw honey on it, added some chopped walnuts, green apple, 1 chopped date and some cinnamon and YUM! So easy - no cooking involved yet it’s almost like having a bowl of oatmeal or cream of wheat (but not sticky or gooey - very light!).

If you’re looking for a light yet filling breakfast, or snack, give it a try. You can use water or any type of milk you want and mix in any type of fruit or nuts. Easy combo.

Pardon the crappy photo - I’ve gotten in the bad habit of using my iphone. I’ll be returning to my real camera asap.

Cha-cha-cha Chia! Not Just for Decoration

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:08:35 -0500

I bought some chia seeds last year when I was participating in AmyA’s 44 Day Green Smoothie Challenge - I use them here and there in smoothies but sometimes forget I have them. They’re considered a super-food and are full of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, protein, vitamin B complex, potassium, fiber and more. I like them because they help regulate blood sugar levels and they form this really cool gel when soaked in water - almost like a thin pudding.

I just read a great article on Intent, watched this short video and have been inspired to pull them out this week. Tonight I’m going to soak some in water and try Brigitte’s cereal suggestion. If it tastes good, I’ll post some pics and whatever recipe I come up with. If you’re curious about chia seeds, here’s another article with a concise overview and a few recipes/uses for them. Just for fun, I also threw some into the base of a plant I have sitting in my window and over the past week the sprouts have grown 2-3 inches! I may cut them and throw them into some salads this week. Ahhh.. the joys of experimenting with new foods.

"When it comes to healthy eating it is important to look at a number of different facts: nutritional..."

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:26:43 -0500

“When it comes to healthy eating it is important to look at a number of different facts: nutritional value, fat, especially saturated fat and trans fats, fiber, sugar (organic foods are sometimes loaded with sugar too and it is not good for your health), sodium, vitamins and minerals etc. I want to get the best for my family but I do not want to be fooled into paying for a fad. This is the reason why my half-organic or frugal organic approach to eating was born. I have been using this approach ever since and it saves me money without compromising my family’s health and well-being. Here are my 15 tips that will help you control your budget and still be organic:”

- A Simple Guide to Frugal Organic Eating | Balance In Me

I like this article and her blog - useful, well-written posts on a regular basis.

Oprah's Dream Board

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:33:45 -0500

As I was reading an article this morning I noticed a promotion on Oprah for a new Dream Board tool. Of course I checked it out so I could tell you about it! It’s a downloadable application you install to your computer and can access from your desktop (it runs on Adobe Air). Essentially, it’s a blank canvas that you fill with images and words using their easy-to-use editor. It includes a library of images from Getty or you can select personal images from your hard drive. The idea is to fill the board with whatever it is you want this year (or in life in general). You should look at it on a regular basis so you stay focused on those things - whether it’s eating better food, exercising, taking a vacation, buying a home, spending more time with friends, learning something, making more money, etc - you fill your board with these images and then use them as inspiration to make them happen. I’m a fan of making dream or “vision” boards but have always done it on my own. This tool makes it pretty simple and offers a bonus option to have it printed at Walgreens. The image above is an example from the application.

I’ve created an entire feed on Twitter of just...

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:26 -0500

I’ve created an entire feed on Twitter of just inspirational people. I love reading @DeepakChopra’s quotes each morning. Little nuggets serve as reminders. What do you do for daily doses of inspiration?

Authenticity

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:33:21 -0500

You are here to create an authentically empowered life. There is no guarantee you will do it. It’s up to you.

Gary Zukav

Part of living those words is really digging deep, listening and finding your own unique self and the gifts you bring to the world. Here’s an interesting article on Oprah.com about Finding Your Gift, by Ken Schuman and Ron Paxton who wrote The Michelangelo Method. From the article:

Your gift lies in the place where your values, passions, and strengths meet. Discovering that place is the first step toward sculpting your masterpiece, your life.

The first thing this requires is hope...

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:49:00 -0500

I like this post by Cheryl Nordyke of Waves of Gratitude. Cheryl and Kim are also guest bloggers at Thankfulfor.com’s blog.

dailyinspiredthoughts:

A few posts ago I blogged about thin threads and how some of us face obstaceles in our lives and we get by on a thin threads. Today, i want to talk about how a thin thread can lead to something amazing. In January 1848 a contest was held to see who could fly their kite across the river. The purpose of the contest. The day following the successful kite flight, a stronger line was attached to the kite string. A rope followed, and eventually a cable consisting of thirty-six strands of number 10 wire. This eventually became a suspension bridge. A thin thread that flew a cable was used to allow them to place a cable across the river to build a bridge. Sometimes we can start with something small and turn it into something amazing. The first thing this requires is hope .

Simple Applesauce - Quick Solution for Aging Apples For the past...

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:39:17 -0500

Simple Applesauce - Quick Solution for Aging Apples

For the past few days I’ve had a handful of apples sitting on the counter that were well past their prime. I get angry with myself whenever I have to throw out food that I didn’t eat (especially if it’s organic and I bought it at Whole Foods!). So, I did a quick search online to see what my options were with “old apples”. Once I got past all the posts about donating old Mac computers, I found most of the options were around apple sauce, apple butter and cider. Apple sauce seemed the easiest. Talk about a super easy recipe! Here’s what I did.

Peeled the apples
Chopped them up - threw away the cores
Put them in 1/2 cup of water - covered and let simmer for about 20 minutes
Added some cinnamon, nutmeg, agave and a tiny splash of maple syrup - mashed it all up with a potato masher
Stirred in some chopped walnuts
Served warm

YUM. And now my house smells great.

Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the...

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:27:00 -0500

Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf. - Rabindranath Tagore

"When I see that flash of anger now I work with it. Extending compassion to myself and all beings. I..."

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:10:00 -0500

“When I see that flash of anger now I work with it. Extending compassion to myself and all beings. I use it as a chance to extend kindness in all directions.”

- Gwen Bell - Big Love in a Small World - Blog - The Seeds of Anger

This is a beautiful blog post - honest, raw.. it goes deep. Whether you grew up with violence or any behavior that affected you deeply, when you are brought back to those feelings now, as an adult, don’t ignore it or push the feelings aside. Work with them, work through them and extend compassion and kindness to yourself. One of the best books I’ve read on the subject is called RADICAL ACCEPTANCE: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha written by Tara Brach. I highly recommend it.

thankful4: Humans Feel as Happy About Giving as Sex? In the...

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:54:41 -0500

thankful4:

Humans Feel as Happy About Giving as Sex?

In the wake of the tragic earthquake in Haiti, New York Times columnist, Nicholas D. Kristof, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner wrote an op-ed piece titled, “Our Basic Human Pleasures: Food, Sex and Giving.”

The article explores the works of University of Virginia psychology professor Jonathan Haidt who is the author of The Happiness Hypothesis as he examines the lives a couple of different individuals to try to determine what we link to happiness and concludes that maybe:

“Helping others may be as primal a human pleasure as food or sex.”

What do you think?

Photo Attribution: Joy.Youth.Sky.Blue.Sun.Shine. Sunshine.Happiness by Irina Iordachescu

Volunteer Vacations - Ecotourism Volunteer Vacations -...

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:47:21 -0500

Volunteer Vacations - Ecotourism Volunteer Vacations - thedailygreen.com - looks like a great idea for 2010. Ever taken one? Would love to hear about it - let us know!

"Here are my suggested resolutions for 2010: Have more sex, get more sleep, and never let yourself..."

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:34:07 -0500

“Here are my suggested resolutions for 2010: Have more sex, get more sleep, and never let yourself feel hungry. Sound hedonistic? These three resolutions will save and lengthen your life, and they are very realistic and noble goals. New Year’s resolutions were never so much fun — it’s all in how you see it.”

- Mehmet Oz, M.D.: It’s All in How You See It: The Resolution Revolution

7 Foods You Should Reconsider Eating For The New Year

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:45:12 -0500

7 Foods You Should Reconsider Eating For The New Year:

I read this list a few times when Dr Mercola first tweeted it and then posted on the site. It’s a great reminder!

maryrambin:

Popcorn is a given, canned tomatoes I could have guessed, but there are a few foods on this list you wouldn’t guess the FDA is letting slide under their radar.

My New Year's Wish for You

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:39:00 -0500

Ok, it’s not quite New Year’s yet - it’s only Christmas Eve Day! But I received this lovely poem in my mailbox today and had to share it. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

My New Year’s Wish for You
If 2010 were a fruit
may it be savory, ripe and juicy
If it were a tree
may it branch in exciting new directions
If it were a sunrise
may it be as warm as it will be radiant
If it were a garden
may it sprout unexpected hybrid delights
If it were an animal
may it be both fierce protector and gentle companion
If it were a building
may it contain the solid foundation from which you structure
If it were a warrior
may it guard your dreams and boldly assert your truth
If it were a lover
may it love and hug you into Being
If it were royalty
may it adorn you with the finest, most vibrant threads of Life
If it were a weaver
may it weave the fabric of your most sacred vision into fruition
If it were an alchemist
may it transform yours shadows into expressed voice
If it were a friend
may it be your best and most true
If it were a teacher
may its lessons be those of aliveness
If it were a storyteller
may it tell a hero’s tale
If it were an improviser
may it yes-and your wildest hopes
If it were a comedian
may it keep you laughing
If it were a party
may it be of the surprise kind
If it were a drum
may it beat to your natural rhythm
If it were a dance
may it move you in ways you forgot you could move
If it were a musician
may it play a harmonious and ever-diverse mix
If it were a song
may its melody resonate the heavens
If it were a word
may it be the loudest Yes ever spoken
And if 2010 were raw creativity
may it be YOURS
…full, whole and completely unabashed!

~ by Michelle James

Michelle James is the founder of the Center for Creative Emergence and is a pioneering creativity catalyst who has been using universal creative principles and the process of emergence as the basis for her work with thousands of people - individuals, corporations and communities - since starting her first business in 1994. Michelle’s passion is infusing creativity and imagination into current knowledge and information systems for individual, organizational and social transformation. Her commitment is to “mainstream” creativity, engaging the creative potential in organizations and other human systems.

'tis the season for cranberry creations

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:15:41 -0500

I bought some fresh cranberries a while ago and wasn’t sure what to do with them. But after a little searching, I was amazed at the versatility of these health-packed, antioxidant rich little gems. First I made an avocado & cranberry salsa. It was delicious served with a simple white fish. Then I used them chopped up and sprinkled into salads. I liked them mixed with chopped apples and sunflower seeds with just a touch of honey then scooped onto a bed of mixed greens. But this morning I decided to put them in the vitamix - it was a good decision. Here’s the recipe I made:

1/2 cup of fresh cranberries
1 navel orange
1/2 extra large ruby red grapefruit
1 large handful of mixed greens
3/4 cup cold filtered water and some ice

For me this is a perfect mix of sweet and tart. If you want to sweeten it a little more, add another orange or a little honey. I’ve also mixed in a few frozen cherries in the past and it was really good. Enjoy!

thankful4: This Emotional Life, a new series to premiere on PBS...

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:27:26 -0500

thankful4:

This Emotional Life, a new series to premiere on PBS on January 4, 2010, will examine the dynamics of emotion in the lives of Americans. It will focus particularly on why we have such a hard time being happy.

The video (above) shares a preview of what you might expect for this new series as Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love shares an interesting story about how humans need intimacy but struggle to balance closeness and freedom in their pursuit of happiness.