Foodie I Am

I think it's fun to find yummy healthy goodies to eat. Like the chocolate chip cookies I ate five of this morning...(from my favorite healthy food-blog by Megan at dextonista.com)

Flour-less Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup peanut or other nut butter
1/3 cup honey, agave or real maple syrup
(Or 1/4 cup of above sweetener and up to 12 drops liquid stevia...I thought they were a little too sweet, but I don't like very sweet things anymore)
1/2 tsp each salt and baking soda
1 flax- egg (1 Tbl ground flax meal mixed with 3 Tbl water. Let sit 10 min to thicken)

STIR all together. Then add:
1/2 cup chocolate chips (I like the mini gluten-free chips from vitacost.com)

SCOOP by tablespoons and bake 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees on a silpat sheet on your cookie sheet, turning cookie sheet 1/2 way through cooking.
LET COOL 10 minutes out of oven on cookie sheet.
Greg loved them!

Guilt Free! And it makes over a dozen so you can eat until full and still have a few leftover...

On another subject, I had a fun conversation with a younger friend at church this morning about how beneficial and currently impactful her life coaching experience 4 years ago still is! I love hearing that, since I have experienced clients making big strides forward and courageous mindset changes through coaching with them.

Here's one of my favorite quotes I use somewhat frequently with clients, from a MFT professor:
"That's your movie and I'm not starring in it!" 
Try that out the next time someone tries to draw you into an unhealthy way of thinking or guilt you into something that's their deal and not yours! It's freeing! But don't say it out-loud to them. Just adopt it as your mindset!

If you read this blog, which you obviously are if these words are crossing your mind, what topics are worth your reading? Recipes...coaching thoughts....personal tidbits....? Just share a little note where you can post a comment.

Oh my goodness, YUM!

These are e-a-s-y and nutritious and really good and from Megan on her a great website! Worth a try, I'd say! I made them tonight to go with the peanut butter-oatmeal yum-balls I made for our core group Bible study...but I ended out letting our friends devour the yum-balls and I saved these for ourselves!

Date Energy Balls (Vegan, Paleo)

Author: Detoxinista.com

Prep time:  15 mins

Total time:  15 mins

Serves: 24

 

A quick and easy treat, perfect for snacking!

Ingredients

• 2 cups walnuts, or other nut/seed of choice
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 2 cups soft Medjool dates, pitted
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a large food processor fitted with an “S” blade, process the walnuts and coconut until crumbly. Add in the dates, coconut oil, vanilla and sea salt and process again until a sticky, uniform batter is formed.
2. Scoop the dough by heaping tablespoons, then roll between your hands to form balls. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then place in the freezer to set for at least an hour before serving. Store the balls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for an even longer shelf life. (I prefer them frozen, myself!)
3. For a gourmet-looking truffle, you could also roll them in shredded coconut or cocoa powder before chilling!

JOY!!!!!

It's a GIRL! Name to be decided, baby to be seen after Christmas, sweet sisters in the making, pink to remain the color of choice, Oma and Opi so so happy for them (and for us)!

I Should Have Been a Man....

I should have been a man.

I would have loved the manly growth of hair from the progesterone in the DHEA my naturopath has me on. I would have felt affirmed in my gender as I grew a bushy mustache and beard without trouble.

But alas, I'm a woman. One with German origins that came with the genetic right to have dark facial hair regardless of gender.

Down the tube went the $400 spent on laser services this spring to eradicate those manly hairs that have warmed my upper lip for so many years. The initial laser result was wonderful, but it seemed to fertilize the ground for abundant new hair growth.

Yet, if that's the worst of my problems, I'm blessed. It isn't, but I am still very very blessed and grateful!

Just look at those mountains....thrill in anticipation of this morning's river walk, as my dogs are....savor those conversations with Alyssa and Michelle....look forward to those baby hugs coming very very soon....be excited at Greg's homecoming....enjoy the gift of my coaching clients....rejoice in new friendships with our home group started last night....wonder at my Savior.

What Do You Need?

I just watched an 18 minute Ted Talk. Sometimes they are really good. I thought this one by Dr. Lissa Rankin was intriguing. She has written a book called Mind Over Medicine, full of scientific, researched facts about our choices in life, the stress we think or allow to be normal, and the life we choose, whether by not choosing or by choice.

If you don't have or want to watch it, she poses one question towards the end, which made me think. "What does your body need to get well?" (I think most all of us need to "get well" from something....big or small.) It's worth taking even a minute and saying out-loud your answer. It impacted me!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EUYLa7MAlPc&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DEUYLa7MAlPc

Live To....

1. Be a part of something bigger than yourself. It's much more rewarding and fruitful.

2. Do things for others. That feels so good to all involved, helping them and helping you.

3. Connect with people. Everyone has such an interesting story to tell, life they're living and struggles they've endured. We need each other.

4. Take care of your body. No one else cares if it works as much as you do.

5. Notice the world around. Wow, it's beautiful and amazing! Find ways to enjoy it, your way.

6. Keep learning new things. This is a very cool place the Lord has made and there's so much to discover.

7. Create goals to look forward to. In many of your life areas....your work, relationships, surroundings, health, relationship with God, recreation, finances....

8. Find ways to bounce back. Everyone hits bumps in the road. Resiliency, perseverance, and attitude take work that's worthwhile.

9. Take a positive approach. Think on those things that are good, will lift your mindset up, and will move you forward. Anyone can be grumpy in tough times. 

10. Be comfortable with who you are. You're the only one who is you, so live it well!