Time for something Sweet

Hey Folks,

I came across this recipe from Peaceful Daily and since I am feeling in the mood for a little something sweet I felt I should give it a try and share it with each of you.

Enjoy

Ingredients 
½ cup coconut oil 
1 cup brown sugar 
¼ cup almond milk 
1 tablespoon vanilla extract 
2 cups flour 
1 teaspoon baking soda 
1 teaspoon baking powder 
½ teaspoon salt 
1 cup vegan chocolate chips (Trader Joe’s chocolate chips are accidentally vegan!) 

Instructions 
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Cream together the coconut oil & brown sugar, then add the almond milk & vanilla. In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Combine the wet & dry ingredients, then fold in the chocolate morsels & any other mix-ins of your choosing. Roll into Tbsp sized balls & place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, then flatten them out a bit with your palm. The dough may be a little crumbly, but just smoosh it together and it will work fine! Bake for 7-10 minutes. (I did 9 which was perfect) 


Taj

Photo: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sar2698/5570315650/sizes/n/

Day 5 of New Year New You

Jeez Louise is it COLD in New York.  Do you think I can click my ruby red heels three times and wish myself back to Puerto Rico?  If it would work I'd be back in heartbeat.  Wishful thinking, its time to get back to work and back to my students.  I miss them just as much as I miss working them out.

My Day 4: Since we were traveling back home I wasn't able to try a new class today... BUT I will make it up this week.  Made 2 substitutions:  had two servings of veggies and maple syrup for sugar.

Here we go Day 5: 

Fitness: 
Its Push Up time....  So Drop Down and give me 20!

Yeah I'm not kidding you read correctly today is push up day.  Now I realize some of you can do 20 push ups in your sleep so I challenge you to do 20 slow count push up. Count 1, 2, 3 down and 1, 2, 3 back up.

You can always do these in intervals, the ultimate goal is to accomplish 20 pushups.
If you are feeling energetic and ready for more do an additional set.  Enjoy!

Food:
This cold weather is beckoning me back home to my bed.  How about you?
When its cold outside our energy levels have a tendency to drop.  Break out some spices to bring you warmth as well as flavor and health benefits like energy.

Stop by the store today and pick up the following to prepare a Spicy Energy Mix you can take to work.  It will keep you satisfied during the afternoon lull and boost your energy.

• 1 ounce pumpkin seeds
• 1 ounce pitted chopped dates
• 1/2 ounce dried mango or another fruit of choice
• 1 ounce almonds
• 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon or cayenne pepper for those who like it spicy. 

Mix together and enjoy

If you can't pick up the above items, try having a yogurt during the day.  Its good the digestion and has vitamin B-12 important for metabolism and helps to give you a bit of energy. 

Self Growth: 

Book a date with YOURSELF!  Crack open your planner, hit the calendar app on your phone or tablet.  Look over the next 25 days and RESERVE a 1 DAY just for YOU!  

This day you be all about YOU!  You could work out, read, go the movies.  Hit the bookstore and check out the new best sellers list. Go shopping at the vintage market you heard about, go to a dance studio or museum.  Whatever you choose its all about creating me time.  

There is no better way to recharge yourself then by taking care of you.  DO NOT skip your date or let something cut into your time.  Stick to the plan and do you.  

I'd love to hear what some of you have chosen to do for Me Time!  

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Until tomorrow!

Taj 

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photo:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/siva0215/3528423770/

Break Fast!

So how many times have you heard the following (in your mothers voice)

" Eat your breakfast" 

" Breakfast is the most important meal of the day" 

Well as much as You might hate to hear it... she was RIGHT!!

Breakfast is THE most important meal of the day as it literally means Break your (night long) Fast. Most people eat dinner around 6-8 PM, the average person gets up about 5-8 AM and usually doesn't eat breakfast until 8-10 AM.  When we wake a person may have gone 10-12 hours without food which means you awaken in a energy deprived state. Thats for people who actually eat breakfast! Did you know 25% of the population skip breakfast all together.

Now some of you are maybe saying "I can can go for hours without eating". As soon as you wake up and get moving its like starting your engines as the body has to turn on to get ready, shower, walk or drive to work etc. Your energy reserves are woefully low by this time. You need to fuel the system before you kick start it into high gear for the day. 

The body is your vehicle and you want to keep it fueled and functioning optimally.

                     Some things to think about next time your considering skipping breakfast :

- When your body lacks fuel your metabolism shifts into starvation mode creating a greater potential for sluggishness and slower metabolism. Symptoms of this include headaches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

- Breakfast skippers in both adults and children are more likely to be obese or overweight. Not eating Breakfast can create BAD eating habits including over eating because the body is SO famished or resorting to fast food, high in calories, low in nutrients

What counts as Breakfast? 

Aim for breakfast providing 25 - 30% of the calories for the day.  This can varies based on your activities for the day.  Remember a desk worker versus a UPS truck packer will need to consume a different amount of calories. 

An Ideal breakfast should provide carbs, fiber and protein.  For Example:  Fruits, Vegetables, Low Fat Milk, Eggs or Yogurt.  In worse case: Something is Better then Nothing so grab the doughnut if that is the only option.... but don't make it a habit (better yet find the nearest apple/banana/orange).  

Looking for a way to track your hourly energy fluctuations check out http://nutritiming.com  

As you read this hope you had, are planning to have or are having your breakfast. 

                    Taj

                    

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlg/181566881/sizes/m/in/photostream/