Gratitude- great response

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

As I reflect on the year, I realize how truly blessed I am! I have an amazing daughter, my family,and my friends and all of you!

What can I do to make a difference?
This year rather than a traditional secret Santa, I asked my yoga teacher trainees if we can do a helpful secret Santa.

1. Each person drew a name (secret, of course)
2. Each person will bring in a non perishable item that represents their secret person.
3. Of course, they will share why they chose that particular food item.
4. Finally, all food will be donated to a soup kitchen.

My contribution: I will also contribute 6 items. One for each person in the training. Our gift represents compassion for others during this holiday season.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~Dalai Lama

HOT CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE!

A friend from IIN loves this smoothie and guess what- it keeps your waistline in check and also keeps you body moving- so to speak!

So if you love chocolate like I do- try it!

Healthy Hot Chocolate Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp Cocoa Energizing Protein
1 Cup Hot Ginger Tea
1/2 Cup Low Fat Milk*
2 Tbsp Raw Cacoa Powder**
1/2 Cup Mixed Berries or Apple
1/4 Cup Coarse Bran
1/4 Cup Raw Oats
1 Tsp Cinnamon
1. Add all to blender and drink. Be careful with the hot liquid!

Milk alternatives: hemp, almond, coconut, or rice milk..or none at all
Use Navitas Raw Cacoa Powder from Whole Foods/Health Food Store

ENJOY! Let me know what you think!

Autumn Vegetables

I love this recipe. It's quick and colorful like the fall season!

GINGER ROASTED FALL VEGETABLES
1/4 cup olive oil

10 carrots, peeled large sweet potatoes , scrubbed, and peeled

2 red onions, peeled

1 small acorn or butternut squash, peeled

1/3 cup fresh ginger root, cut into narrow strips

salt and fresh ground pepper

juice of 1 orange

2-3 tsp fresh ginger root, finely diced
Parsnips and red potatoes can be added to the mix.

Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.

Put the olive oil into a medium-sized roasting pan and heat it in the oven for 5 minutes.

Cut the carrots in half, cut the onions into 6 wedges each, cut the squash and potatoes into fairly large chunks.

Put the vegetables and 2 tsps ginger to the hot oil, add seasoning.

Roast for 40 – 50 minutes, turning the vegetables halfway through the cooking time.

When vegetables are cooked, remove them to a serving platter and keep warm.

Pour the orange juice into the hot pan and stir in the remainder of the finely diced ginger. Season to taste and pour the sauce over the hot roasted vegetables

Ginger helps to reduce inflamation, treat colds and calms your stomach. I am ready for some ginger tea!

Yoga yoga yoga!

This weekend, I spent the entire weekend with my new teacher trainees. WOW! Talk about being immersed in the process. I love it and can already see some of the changes they are making. All good, of course! Love teacher training and getting to know students in a different way!
Well anyway, they are very sore but feel like they are accomplishing alot and now they have a ton of homework! The book they are reading this month is "Instructing Hatha Yoga" 5 chapters and homework plus asana practice.
So after teaching the same 15 poses this weekend, my regular classes had yoga classes to strengthen their abs. Groaning but worth every single plank!
Looking forward to Friday night and spending the time teaching the trainees poses that are related to the 2nd chakra. Stay tuned-more to come!

If anyone is interested in kirtan and live in central Jersey, we are hosting a kirtan on Saturday, October 10 at 7 PM in E.Windsor. Contact me for info!

KALE CHIPS YUM!

I haven't baked kale chips since the teacher trainees graduated from teacher training but I was actually craving kale this week. It is an all around healthy and delicious veggie.
Most of the time I steam the kale and add fresh tomatoes and oregano topping brown rice with the mix and thats dinner - it's quick!

Try kale chips and eat them warm from the oven!
1 bunch kale
olive oil
fresh or dried dill
sea salt
Yup 4 ingredients!

Rub each leaf with olive oil
Place on a cookie sheet
Bake for 20 minutes until the kale is crispy
Sprinke with dill and a little sea salt

Thats it! Everyone that has tried them, really liked them!

By the way, if you only eat raw, put the kale in a dehydrator and then add the seasoning.

Shopping!

Many of us love shopping and I am no exception!I have learned to make shopping for good food fun! It's not only about eating greens but look at the colors, the textures, the smells of the various food.

This morning my client wanted to learn more about eating healthy. I jumped at the chance to take her shopping for this weeks groceries. She was so excited because she is learning a ton about organic food, locally grown food as well as foods that will make her feel great inside and out.

4 bags and 2 hours later we finished our shopping.

The best part was that I also did health counseling to and from the store. I can tell you this is a great way to bond with each other and have a good time!

Your kitchen has the answer...........

Run out of lotion, products not working as well as you like, want to save money?


The ingredients are in your kitchen!


Do you have itchy, flaky or dry skin?

1 cup coarsely ground sea salt
¼ cup olive oil
Stir oil into salt.
Save time and exfoliate and massage your skin in the shower
It only takes 2 Tablespoons of mixture rubbed on your skin
Rinse completely
Repeat weekly. (store the remainder of the mixture in a glass jar in a cool dry area).
If you want the mixture scented, add 6 drops of lavender essential oil to the mixture before using.

Puffy, tired or irritated eyes.

2 chamomile tea bags
1 cup distilled water
Boil distilled water. Add tea bags, and steep until water is lukewarm.
Remove bags and squeeze out most of the water.
Place bags over closed eyes for 15 minutes.
Important: If you have ragweed and/or hayfever allergies, do not use this preparation.