Are you dreaming of the warmer days to come and looking for a family vacation idea??

Came upon this piece today while being up before dawn (just thought I would throw that in there;)) It's a nice little piece about exploring Canada. I have been fortunate to have lived in the Interiors ( Ontario, Winnepeg) and on both Coasts. Every piece of Canada has new terrain and something exciting to see and explore. I hope to make this trip next year with my little ones!

Discovering Canada, one kilometre at a time

www.ottawacitizen.com

There's only one way to see Canada and that is on a good, old-fashioned family road trip.

Looking for some workout ideas

Here us a link to a page I found for some work out ideas that are sure to get your heart rate going:)

They can be done mostly indoors at home or outside.

Enjoy!:)

http://michaelashcroft.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/2-week-beginner-cf-program.pdf

Building some muscle

I have been working on

building some muscle lately and am really wanting to lean out now.  I am trying to hold out and trust the process.  I know it works.  Thinking on a power lifting comp for the fall...so here is where I am at now and I will show more later in the future. I absolutely do not believe in a dirty bulk.  Eat clean all the way even when building muscle and strength!

Raw Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake

I made the recipe this weekend And it was a hit so I thought I would share

Remember it may be Raw Vegan made if clean ingredients but its still a treat so limit yourself to one small piece:)

 

Crust 

1 c hazelnut meal ( grind nuts)

1/4 c + 2 tbsp raw cocoa powder

3 tbsp pure maple syrup

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 pinch sea salt ( I had Himilayan on hand so used it)

Filling

2 c raw cashews, soaked and rinsed 

1/4 c + 2 tbsp hazelnut butter

1/2 c coconut oil, melted

1/2 C pure maple syrup

1/2 C water

1// tsp sea salt 

Chocolate sauce

1/3 C coconut oil, melted

1 tsp pure vanilla

1/4 C pure maple syrup 

1/4 C raw cocoa powder 

1. Blend all ingredients together on a food processor until starts to come together ( or mix by hand)

Press crust into bottom of spring form pan about 1/4 inch thick. Set aside while you make filling.

2. In food processor or blender, mix together cashews, Maple syrup, water and salt. Mix until completely smooth. Add cocoa powder, hazelnut butter and oil to mixture and blend together. 

3. Spoon filling on top of crust. Put cake in freezer until solid ( at least 4 hours) 

4. Once frozen, remove spring form sides.

5. Place cheesecake in fridge and make chocolate sauce. Drizzle over cake and top with chopped hazelnuts if desired. 

6. Store in fridge 

( can probably cut chocolate sauce in half as I had so much left over)

Today's thought...

The reason meditation is so important to me... even 5 minutes a day can be so beneficial :) https://www.facebook.com/kerrie.revels/posts/10152337014096000:0

No one is perfect :)

So I have struggled all my life with my outer appearance..honestly I don't know why.. I don't choose my friends base on outward appearance.  It's a personal struggle..never seeming to achieve what I wish.  This is my year to learn to accept me on the outside and love myself as a whole.  I am not perfect...I have stretch marks and scars..I am curvy...I don't have a Hockey butt ( tight).  No not perfect..but I am not hiding it any more.  So here is to loving and accepting ourselves!  I had a talk with a friend the other day and we touched on some things that almost brought me to tears.  She said something that was in itself empowering.  If we love and accept ourselves it does not make a society of egos but empowered people, less conflict.  I want for each of you to learn to accept yourselves wholly, and if someone doesn't accept you then let them move on.  Here is to an empowered society full of love!

<3 xo

This photo is untouched.  You will see the scars but I am done hiding!:)

Cheers! Happy St Paddy's Day:)

No green beer for me but in honour of St Paddy's Day I created a delicious Green Smoothie:)

1 cup spinach

1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk

1/2 cup cold water 

( blend above together)

Add 1/4 avocado

1/2 medium banana

1/4 medium apple peeled

Blend into liquid mix

Add 1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder if desired 

Tastes great and it's GREEN!

Vanilla Chia Pudding

Vanilla Chia Pudding

1/2 cup Chia seed

1 1/2 cup milk ( I used almond but coconut would be  delicious!)

1 tsp vanilla extract 

Honey for sweetener (optional)

Mix chia, milk and vanilla an allow to sit in fridge for at least 3 hours.

Top with raspberries and toasted unsweetened coconut if desired.

*can add raw cocoa powder in early stages to make a chocolate variation.

Benefits of Chia

    A little background on the Chia Seed...

It comes from the desert plant Salvia Hispanica, a member of the mint family.  It's origin is believed to be Central America and was a staple in the ancient Aztec diet.

    They have gained  attention as a superfood; being an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acid and an excellent source of fibre (10 g per ounce).  Chia also contain protein and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc.

    There are many ways to incorporate it into your diet; eat raw sprinkled on cereal, add to granola, pancake batter, baking, add to smoothies, sprinkle on yogurt or add to homemade salad dressing.  They can also be used as an egg substitute when added to water ( 1 tbsp chia:3 tbsp water- let sit until resembles the texture of raw egg white).

Chia absorbs the liquid they are added to and expand.

Different Eating Styles

I've had a great interest in nutrition since I was really young.

Possibly because I love food soooo much!  I've been creating and writing recipes since I was 12 years old.  My poor family used to come home to jello cookies, cookies made from chips and pop lol ( no not nutritious then..but creative;) I even made a casserole dish with a graham cracker crust..true storey and god bless my mom!  She ate everything I sat before her with out a complaint lol

Strong lady:)

My Aunt owned her own health food store and that really began an Interest for me in natural healing.  I would buy books upon books and read so much...but to be honest it still confused me on how to fuel my body for activity properly.  

So today I will give you some links to different lifestyles in nutrition that people adopt.  Healthy ones anyway because there really are a lot out there.  

If you are just starting out it can all be so overwhelming.   Researching a great nutrition coach is a terrific idea but be sure to do your own research and ask questions before you settle on one! 

Paleo or caveman diet: basically it's going back to basics.. If a caveman could eat it so can you.  It's a natural way of eating, eliminating refined sugars,  processed foods, grains, pesticides (yuck!), dairy.   Eating more free range fowl , grass Fed  beef, wild caught fish.

This link has some great info.

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/10/04/the-beginners-guide-to-the-paleo-diet/

Vegan - there are so many types of Vegetarian diet.  You get the main idea though a Vegan excluded all meat, fish and their by products like dairy and eggs.  RAW Vegans eat the majority of their foods from raw sources.

 http://m.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-different-kinds-of-vegetarians.html

Clean diet :  it does not mean wash your foods;)

A clean lifestyle chooses whole, natural foods and eliminates refined , processed ones.  Focuses on combining lean proteins with complex carbohydrates and healthy fats with each meal.

http://www.cookinglight.com/m/eating-smart/smart-choices/clean-eating-00412000069316/

Any of these eating styles  are great and healthy habits and if you search recipes there are so many delicious ones to be found! Be creative and create your own:)

XO

Happy eating 

<3

Asparagus Soup Paleo

1 Vidalia onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp coconut oil

2 lbs asparagus, ends removed, and chopped into 1-2 inch pieces

4 cups chicken stock ( I prefer to make my own)

Salt and pepper to taste

GARNISH

2 tbsp chopped chives

1 cup chopped prosciutto, sautéed

Ground black pepper 

1.  In a large soup pot on medium heat, sauté onion and garlic in coconut oil, adding salt and pepper to taste.  Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.

2.  Add the asparagus to the pot, and cover with the stock.

3.  Code ten pot with lid and boil the asparagus until soft and tender.

4.  In a medium size fry pan, sauté the prosciutto for 5 min, set aside.

5.  Transfer soup to a food processor or high speed blender and process until smooth. 

6.  Pour into soup bowls and sprinkle with ground pepper, prosciutto and chives.

Please read this link on cell phones and radiation

I still have friends who store their cell phones beside them at night or who even store them in their bras no less! This scares the 'Bleep' out of me.  Please read and take precautions as you see fit.  I for one don't even bring mine with me everywhere I go anymore.  I lived many years with out one, I can still do so if I choose, and hopefully this sets an example for my children in our world of technology.
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11985/cellphone-radiation-is-real-here-are-5-ways-to-protect-yourself.html
<3

Oil Pulling

Check out the link below:) this something I've begun this week.  Will let you know how it goes:)
http://www.fashionlush.com/wtf-is-oil-pulling-why-im-hooked/

Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese

12 medjool dates

3 oz goat cheese

1/8 cup pecan meal ( or finely chopped pecans)

1. Turn on your broiler and move an oven rack to the top position.

2. Slice dates lengthwise to remove pit and create opening for the goat cheese.

3. Stuff dates with the cheese.

4. Sprinkle with pecan meal.

5. Place dates on parchment lined Baking sheet and broil for 3-4 minutes 

6.  Allow to cool slightly, and serve.

Really delicious!!

Own It!

This is a great post I saw. I love and admire her honesty.  If you struggle with your self image this is a great video.
https://www.facebook.com/kerrie.revels/posts/10152307402971000

Delicious breakfast ideas

If you are new to eating breakfast or I'd breakfast boring then these recipes might be just what you are looking for.  Check out the link below and start your morning off right:)

http://www.fitsugar.com/Breakfasts-Under-300-Calories-33700995?slide=2

I'm coming back !

https://www.facebook.com/kerrie.revels/posts/10152300367411000:0