Love yourself this February! 30 day love yourself program... yoga and gut health

The phrase namaslay had been popping into my head a lot.  I googled that shit and it led me to this book! 

 

Guys, I feel like I could have written this book... like every word of it.  I relate so strongly both to her struggles and to her rising.  

I just love her!  I want to channel more of her kind of gutsy into my life.   I started following her blog and downloaded her app.

I came across this just in time... thank you universe!

I need help in the self love department,  it's always nice to look at gut health through a fresh set of eyes, and you know how much I love to yoga!  Win, win, win!

Join me this February! 

 

Gutsy Yoga... 10 Poses for a happy digestive system

I really do consider yoga to be an integral part of managing my digestive conditions.  Doctors said I would need the meds everyday, thankfully they were so so wrong.  Really I just need the yoga (and my diet) everyday!  My tummy is not happy if I miss my practice, if even for a day... Demanding bitch that she is! 😉 😂

Read this post if you want to know why I think all gutsy girls should yoga!

Here are some awesome, gentle poses to start with...

 

•child's pose- there has been many a time I've managed pain by chilling out with this one! 

•cat stretches- every morning!

• down dog- come on, what is this not good for?

•legs up the wall- the bomb of restorative poses, everyone should be doing this one! 

•revolved triangle

•twisting lunge

•seated twist- as you can tell, twisting is good! 

•knees to chest 

•bridge

• savasana- who doesn't want to just zen out and breath?

Celery and Ginger Juice

Celery juice is most amazing! 

• kicks autoimmune condition ass

• calms skin conditions

• purifies the blood

• helps digestion... Yay!

• reduces the effects of stress hormones... thank you! 

• lowers blood pressure... papa you have some celery juice coming at ya just FYI... 😉

I don't need to ramble anymore about it...

Just read this post from Dr. Anthony William, aka the Medical Medium.   He has more cred than I do, and his books are super informative and interesting.  I soak up everything he has to say.  Food is medicine (or poison) guys! For real... Living, breathing proof right here!

Please just read the books and drink the juice! 😉

I added some extras to his original recipe just because I wanted more greens, flavor, and I always, always want ginger! 

 

Celery and Ginger Juice 

1 bunch celery

1 cucumber

1 bag spinach

2 inches fresh ginger

1 lemon- peeled

Juice it all and enjoy! If it's too celeryish for you add an extra cucumber and maybe an apple to tone it down a bit.  

This makes more than you necessarily need at one time.  I wish I had time to make fresh juice every morning but I just don't...so I make enough for a few days.  I know, I know, it loses nutritents as it sits, but whatever... I'm making an effort and I feel good so who the f cares.  Day-old juice is better than no juice in my opinion! Just drink your veggies my friends!

Lemongrass... how to use and why to love

I’m so in love with lemongrass!!

 

In my garden, in my tea, in my food, in my beauty products, in my cleaning products, in my diffuser...

 

Good thing it’s so good for ya!

 

Here are the short and sweet perks of using lemongrass in your life.  I don’t like to bore you with all the fancy sciency lingo! 😉

 

Benefits of Lemongrass:

 

1.        Gets rid of bad germs… I add it to a little vinegar and filtered water and use it to clean EVERYTHING and simply to spray into the air to freshen up my home.

2.       Gets rid of bad vibes too… spraying it around my home gets rid of the funk too!

3.       Alphabet vitamins A, lots of Bs, and C too.

4.       A happy and calm digestive system, including better absorption (hello my gutsy girls!)

5.       A Zen nervous system…lemongrass in my diffuser can always bring back my zen.

6.       Awesome for the lymphatic system, helps filter out any congestion.

7.       Anti-inflammatory… who doesn’t love that?

8.       Insect repellent… wear the essential oil on some diffuser beads or just plant some near your outdoor spaces.

9.       Ahhhhmazing for your skin… try some in a steam facial.

10.   It tastes fantastic…Enough said!  Not sure where to start, simply make some tea, or try this recipe!

Garlic Herb Flatbread... Gluten Free & Vegan

When I was a child I literally lived on garlic bread.  Seriously, my body was composed of just garlic bread and dreams.

When I was diagnosed with celiac disease the dreams kinda became nightmares and the only thing left of the garlic bread was the tears I was trying to keep from filling my eyes.  

That little pity party lasted all of one afternoon while the emotions and fuzziness wore off from the drugs that knocked me out for my endoscopy!! 

I took some deep breaths, cleared both my head and my eyes and got my shit together.  That was when I decided not one damn thing was going to hold me back from living and living well with celiac disease, especially not garlic bread!  

Whenever I have a day where it gets me (because I'm not going to lie... I occasionally do) I make myself some garlic bread, take some deep breaths and handle it!

This recipe from Sara Bakes Gluten Free is an easy and delicious option that you can use in lots of ways.  I love her flour blend, but I switched this up and used fresh herbs instead of dried ! I did use her picture because mine wasn't so pretty! 😉😂. Thanks Sara! If you are new to the gluten free world she is an incredible resource, just FYI! 

 

Garlic and Herb Flatbread

Bread:

2 C GF flour blend- Sara's blend 

2 t baking powder

1/2 t sea salt

1 1/2 C sparkling water

2 T EVOO

1 T pure maple syrup or honey 

Topping:

2 T EVOO

3 garlic cloves- minced

1 t fresh regano

1 t fresh basil

1 t fresh rosemary 

1/4 t sea salt

1/4 t crushed red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 450. Line a 12 x 9 baking sheet with parchment paper.  Dice your herbs up really fine.  Whisk together the topping ingredients and set aside.  Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add 2 T EVOO, sparkling water, and the syrup/honey.  Mix until just blends.  Pour into your pan and smooth out with a spatula.  Drizzle the topping on and spread it all over with a pastry brush.  Poke holes every inch or so.  Bake for about 20 minutes, turning the pan halfway.

Dairy Free Avocado Tzatziki

 

You're going to want to put this on everything!!

Avocado Tzatziki

1 avocado

1 cucumber

2 garlic cloves

1/2 c dairy free GreekYogurt

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 t Greek seasoning

Dash of hot sauce 

Blend it all up. Done!

blessing? curse? your call...

 

I never looked at any of it as a curse, and that has made all the difference!

If there is only one thing you take away from any of my words let it be this...

Always find the silver lining!! Always!! All the damn time!! 

It is all about perspective baby!  

Your thoughts create your reality, your frequency, your energy.  Your energy attracts like energy.  

Do you want to attract more shit?  Then by all means be more shitty, think shitty thoughts, see the curse and just the clouds.

But if you want to attract more blessings always look for them, find the fucking silver lining, because I promise there is always one there, somewhere!  Some days you may have to look a little harder, but that's ok.

When I'm having a tough day and feeling overwhelmed with gutsy girl life I step back, forget the bad, and simply consider the things that make me grateful for my conditions.  

• made me who I am today.

• gave me insane body awareness

• forced me to overhaul my diet and lifestyle.

• threw my passion hard, right in my face

• allows me to connect with and help others.

• opened my mind when it comes to food and life

• forced me to overcome eating disorders

• learned how to be a bomb ass cook 

• brought yoga into my life

• helps me find out who my friends are

• makes me listen to my body

• tuned me into my inner compass... they don't say "trust your gut" for nothin' 

See?? You can find all kinds of shit to be grateful for!! Shift your thoughts to gratitude and watch the difference it makes in your life!

#trustthejourney #justflow #energy #vibratehigher #perspective #alwaysfindthesilverlining #gutsygirl #nutritionista #yogi #celiaclife #gratitude #truthbomb

Little geologists are my kind of scientists!

 

We think geology rocks!! 

#littlegeologists #rockdig #handsonlearning #getyourhandsdirty 

 

I've worked with brilliant scientists both in the field and in fancy labs... but it's moments like this with these incredible little people in this happy little classroom that are my very favorite, my why... And I wouldn't change any of it for the world! 

#littlescientists 

#rightwhereibelong #preschoolteacherlife #dowhatyoulove #justflow #lovelife #handsonlearning #teamwork #rockdig

Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup... Gluten & Dairy Free

 

A healthy, nutrient packed way to get your thai fix on a cold rainy day!

Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup

 

3 T red curry paste

2 12 ounce cans of lite coconut milk

4 C chicken broth

2 T fish sauce

2 T brown sugar

2 T peanut butter

1½ pounds chicken breasts, cut into pieces

1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into ¼ inch slices

1 jalapeno- seeded and diced

1 onion, thinly sliced

1 C carrot slices

1 heaping T fresh ginger, minced

4 garlic cloves- minced 

4 inch stalk of lemongrass- just throw it in the pot

1 C mushrooms- sliced

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

1 tablespoon lime juice

cilantro for garnish

 

Mix the curry paste, coconut milk, chicken stock, fish sauce, brown sugar and peanut butter in a slow-cooker bowl. Place the chicken breast, red bell pepper, jalapeno, onion, ginger, garlic, and lemongrass in the slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 6 hours.  Add in the peas and mushrooms and cook for ½ hour longer. Remove the lemongrass, stir in the lime juice and serve with cilantro.

 

Hulk Smash Green Juice

 

Smash the shit out of the bad guys this cold and flu season! Fuel up with some of this stuff to help channel your immune system's inner Hulk! 

Hulk Smash Green Juice

2 cucumbers

6 celery stalks

2 green apples-cored

1 pear- cores

1 lemon- peeled

1 lime- peeled

1 big ol' handful of baby kale

2 big handfuls of spinach

1 inch ginger

Throw it all in your juicer then kick ass!  

If you aren't familiar with juicing just remember it's easier to throw the leafy stuff in first then you can kinda use the other stuff to push them through.  Happy juicing! 😉 

Sneaky black bean brownies... gluten free and vegan

In my preschool nutrition class we are learning about protein this week...

So naturally I snuck some into the kiddos' brownies!

What? I ate beans?! 

They had no clue... and neither will you!

 

Black Bean Brownies

1 15oz can organic black beans- drain and rinse

2 flax eggs- 2 T flax seed meal + 6 T water)

3 T coconut oil- melted

3/4 C cocoa powder

1/4 t sea salt

1 t pure vanilla

1/2 C coconut sugar

1 1/2 t baking powder

1/4 C chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Line a 9x 9 baking dish with parchment paper.  Prep your flax egg by pulsing the water and flax in a blender/food processor.  Let sit while to get everything else ready.  Add everything except the chocolate chips to the blender/food processor.  Blend until nice and smooth, scraping the sides as you go (add 1-2 T of water of you feel like it's too thick).  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Pour into your pan and spread out until smooth on top.  Bake for about 35 minutes.  It's hard, but you have to let these cool a good half hour before eating because they are meant to be fudgy and gooey! 

You can also do these in a muffin pan (about 25 minutes) or a mini muffin pan (about 18-20 minutes).  Adjust your baking times... basically bake until set on top and pulling away from the sides a bit.

Enjoy your protein my friends!! 

Find the original recipe here. 

Only YOU can make sure life's taking you where you want it to...

 

One of my fave David Bowie lyrics!

Oh who am I kidding I have too many favorites!

YOU make sure all your years are golden! 👩🏻‍🎤👨🏼‍🎤

#youdoyou #goodvibesonly #bowiewisdom #bowievibes #ziggy #goldenyears

Third Eye Chakra Yoga

 

Keep that third eye chakra happy with these poses and learn to trust your own inner compass and see things the way you need to... #intuition #wisdom #understanding

 •child's pose

•dolphin

•eagle

•warrior 3

•standing forward bend

•down dog

#thirdeyechakra #yogaforyourchakras #yogi #yogaeveryday #yoga #hippyvibes #happychakras #chakras #balance #flexibility #strength #energy #badass #rocksolidvibes #rocksolidvibestribe #apennyformyglutenfreethoughts #holistichealing #blossomsunited

Let's shift the way we think about healthcare!

 

A very wise man once said...

Guys, let's shift the way we think about healthcare! #wellness

#eatlikeyouloveyourself #movelikeyouloveyourself #nutritionista #alignment #balance #mindbodyspirit #eatrealfood #foodismedicine #movementismedicine #healyourself #gutsygirl #apennyformyglutenfreethoughts

Throat Chakra Yoga

 

I have all kinds of stories to tell!  They are all running around inside my head... anxiety over what people might think of me kept them there.  Working these yoga poses for my throat chakra has really helped me express myself.  Now, which story to tell first!? 😉 📚 

#expressyourself #letyourvoicebeheard #speakyourtruth #tellyourstories #writethatdamnbookalready

•neck release

•plow

•bridge

•shoulder stand 

•fish 

•seated cat/cow

#throatchakra #yogaforyourchakras #yogi #yogaeveryday #yoga #hippyvibes #happychakras #chakras #balance #flexibility #strength #energy #badass #rocksolidvibes #rocksolidvibestribe #holistichealing #blossomsunited