Confession: I LOVE Brownies!!!

Yes, I confess! I really do! I LOVE brownies! Oooey, gooey, fudgey, chocolatey brownies! And, I would prefer to eat the batter. Yep, even with the raw eggs...so, I will let you in on a little secret. When I make brownies, you know, the yummy, not super healthy for you kind...I leave the eggs for last so that I can eat the batter without the raw eggs. :) OH, SO GOOD!

But, when I am craving some ooey gooey brownies and don't want to feel guilty for eating the entire batch by myself, these are my go-to brownies. Yes, they have things in them that your typical brownie does not, but they are ooey, gooey, and satisfy my chocolate craving.

There are so many "healthy" brownie recipes out there now, and lots of them are fabulous. I don't even know where I found the base of this recipe years ago, but I have tweaked it so much since then. And, that is half the fun. Find a recipe that you like on paper and make it. Don't like it as much as you want to like it...? Make some tweaks and try it again! 

But, make sure you write it down!! I am so bad about that! I make things like this for people and then they ask me for the recipe and I have to remember which version of mine I made! HAHA! Oops! :)

But, I wrote this one down!

Guilt-free Ooey Gooey Brownies

*Note: These are gluten free and can be made vegan by subbing the eggs for ground flax. Also a note below for added protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg (2 eggs for less ooey gooey & a little more cake like)
• 1 15 oz can low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 medium avocado
• 1 TBSP vanilla extract
• 4 TBSP stevia sweetener (I use Pure Via Stevia sweetener)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup raw cacao powder
• Note about the cocoa and the cacao:
• You can use 2/3 cup cocoa if you don't have cacao. I just like the added health benefits of raw cacao. It is a pretty awesome superfood!
• If you want some added protein, you can replace the cocoa and cacao for a chocolate protein powder. I use Arbonne's Chocolate Protein, which tastes like brownie batter anyway!
• 1 TBSP coconut oil
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (save some to sprinkle on top...or add more!)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 8x8 inch baking pan.
2. Add all ingredients together, except chocolate chips, and use mixer (or food processor) to mix until smooth. The batter will be very thick. If batter is too thick (and you will know if it isn't mixing well), add 1-2 tbsp water and mix. Fold in chocolate chips.
3. Spread batter into greased pan and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Do not over cook! Let pan cool, then cut and serve warm and ooey gooey!

These should be stored in the fridge. I actually LOVE these cold straight out of the fridge.

Don't believe me that brownies with black beans, avocado, and very little sugar can be ooey gooey yummy?? I don't blame you. You have to try them for yourselves.

Just remember, on your journey to find a healthier you, it is the little things, like subbing your old brownie recipe for this one that make a difference. :)

Let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Transformation Tuesday!!

I always feel bad for Tuesdays. I mean they really get jipped!! I was even telling my yoga students this, because I teach on Tuesday evenings. Think about it, Monday get the bad rap for being the first day of the five day work week. Wednesday is "hump day" and Thursday is the day BEFORE Friday, so people even love Thursday, and well, Friday is TGIF!! So, I truly believe that Tuesday gets jipped.

But, at least we can have TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY! WOOHOO!!

And since my blog is about all things healthy and healing and real life, here are some transformations that I have made. I love giving new life to old things!

I love this buffet, not only because it came out exactly how I imagined, but also because I found it on Craigslist for $50! It was missing a drawer, but my dad made me a drawer to match! And, I used the same hardware, just spray painted them with the Antique Bronze spray paint.

So, something you may not have known about me....two things I LOVE: Chalk paint and General Finishes Gel Stain in Java!

I didn't have a chance to take a picture of the chairs before I recovered them, but this is them now, and if I want to recover them again someday, SUPER easy to do!!

I know lots of people love Annie Sloan Chalk paint, and so do I! But, I like to use Benjamin Moore Chalkboard Paint. I get it from Pacific Ace Hardware in Vacaville. They mix it right there, so I can choose from any color they have on the little swatches. A bit more cost efficient and it works great! I am lazy and rarely sand my pieces and it works fabulous!

I also like to make my own chalk paint by adding a powder additive that I buy (for all I know it is actually chalk powder) to a regular flat latex paint, and BAM!! I just made my own chalk paint for cheap, cheap!! If you are interested, I use Webster's Chalk Paint Powder.

We recently remodeled our home, and this was one of the projects that I tackled.

Ahhh, the General Finishes Gel Stain! This looks like a huge project, and I thought so too, at first, but it really wasn't that bad. NO SANDING! I did it in sections, because I was applying it during the girls' nap time. There is another section that you can't see in the picture, but total labor time (not including drying) was about 5-6 hours. COMPLETE transformation!! In case you are interested in the gel stain, I bought mine on Amazon, partly because I love Amazon Prime and partly because I don't drag my two girls 4 and 18 months (and younger at the time I bought it) anywhere I absolutely don't have to!

Another Craigslist find, and it has a gorgeous mirror too! Sanded the edges after for a distressed look for my oldest daughter's room.

Do you have some projects you have just been too nervous to tackle because you are afraid to mess them up? DON'T BE!! This is super easy! If I can do it, anyone can!

Of course, Craigslist finds!! $10 chairs (I think, they could have been less). 

My motto is REVAMP, RENEW, REUSE!! Make something old look brand new! Have fun!

BALANCE

Kauai, Oct 2015

 WHAT?!?!?!? A new blog post!! You must think you are hallucinating, right!!? Don't worry, you aren't! It is reality! Life just took over, as most of you can probably relate! I am a busy mom of two sweet, spirited girls, now 4 and 19 months! Where does the time go!? No, really, I want to know!

Yes, it has been over two years since my last post, but I have made a goal for myself to at least post two times a month, hopefully more.

Life is changing for me, as it does for all of us. Never stagnant. And, right now I am probably at my busiest I have been (I dare say EVER been - not complaining though). But, I am often reminded of how important balance is in life. Not just for moms of little kiddos, but for everyone. Finding balance between too much and too little, that that takes you to the edge without going over. And, only we know where that edge is.

Like I said, things are changing in my life, all good things (more on this later)! And, for me, coming back to my mat reminds me to find a balance. It helps me to recognize where that balance is. We are like rubber bands - elastic. We can stretch, but when stretched too far, we can break, too...yoga has taught me how to release without breaking. And, for me, my family is a constant reminder of the things that are important to me and why that balance is so vital.

As always, I invite you to come and join me on your mat on Tuesdays at 6pm at Ebb & Flow Yoga Studio in Vacaville. You may be pleasantly surprised by how much you can learn about balance off of your mat and in your lives, while actually trying to balance on your mat!

Kauai, Oct 2015

Brussels Sprouts and Yoga Mats and Hawaii, OH MY!

What do brussels sprouts, yoga mats, and Hawaii have in common???

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING (at least that I know of) except that now, after 30 years, I LOVE brussels sprouts, and of course, I LOVE yoga therefore I LOVE my yoga mats, and who doesn’t LOVE Hawaii…oh, and did I mention that I ate brussels sprouts and did yoga on my new travel yoga mat while we were on our family vacation in Hawaii a few weeks ago.

Hey, don’t hate me! I just got lucky when I married my husband. His family likes to do family vacations on Kauai…what can I say!?

But, I will say that the weather was beautiful during our stay! We did some shorts hikes (our 21 month old toddler only tolerates so much), we went down to the beach to play in the sand, and played in the pool.  We cooked and ate dinner as a family at the resort, which is way more favorable to me than going out to eat.  It was a much more relaxing trip than when we last went when my daughter was 4 months old. But, two of the highlights from the trip…brussel sprouts and yoga on my new Manduka eKO SuperLite Travel Mat!

Yes, I took my yoga mat on our trip! Actually, I bought myself a little present before our trip. I am a big fan of my Manduka PRO Yoga Mat (aka The Black Mat PRO).  When people ask me what mat I recommend, I always point to my mat (don’t worry, this is not a paid endorsement! This is just my PERSONNAL opinion!). This is what I tell people when they ask: if you are going to be on your mat a lot, doing a lot of yoga (have boney knees life me), and can afford to invest (because this mat runs about $100) in one awesome mat with a lifetime guarantee, then look no further…if that does not describe where you are in your life/practice, then you might want to shop around. But, if you want to travel around with your mat, this is NOT the mat for you! It is NOT a light weight mat. It is definitely made to last. So, since we were going to be traveling to Hawaii with a limited amount of luggage, I decided to buy myself a birthday present (my birthday was in September, so don’t worry, it was justified). I bought Manduka’s eKO SuperLite Travel Mat! This baby only weighs about 2 lbs. and can be folded or rolled! For me, one of the most important things in a mat is what I call “the slip factor.” The rubber has to be somewhat sticky so that my hands and feet don’t slip all over the place and I land on my face.  Aside from it lacking in the cushion department for my boney knees, it was just like practicing on my Black Mat (and obviously it can’t have all the extra cushion if it is only going to be 2 lbs and fold and roll for travel).

Ok, moving on (you thought I was going to rant and rave about my yoga mat forever, didn’t you!) So, my husband always jokes around that if someone came out and said that dirt was the new superfood, I would eat it! Well, that is only partly true… :) To me, beets taste like dirt and they are extremely good for you and I have never been able to eat them. Although, I have found some ways to include them in my foods. As for the brussels sprouts, growing up and until this year, I thought I HATED brussels sprouts! WOULD. NOT. EAT. THEM! But, my sister cooked them one night for dinner (she is living with us while finishing up at Vet School), and I barely left any for her! They were amazing! Now, you would think that I prepare brussels sprouts as my main course, and everything else as a side dish! So, I made these in Hawaii as well. Actually, I would love to make them every day! I don't think I could ever get sick of them!

But, let's for a second look at how awesome these bad boys are for us.

1. Their high fiber content helps lower our cholesterol.
2. Recent studies have shown that certain compounds in brussels sprouts help block specific enzymes that can be detrimental to the health and stability of DNA within our white blood cells.
3. TONS of vitamins AND antioxidants
4. Helps fight inflammation
5. Cancer prevention AND cardiovascular support
6. Aids in digestion and diet

Here is the EASIEST and TASTIEST recipe ever (again, my PERSONAL opinion):

What you will need:

• Brussels sprouts
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Olive Oil
• Minced Garlic
• Sea Salt/Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees and line baking tray with parchment paper (or aluminum foil)
2. Rinse sprouts, cut/remove ends, and cut brussels sprouts in half lengthwise 
3. Place sprouts on baking tray
4. Pour oil and vinegar over sprouts. (This is the fun part! We like a lot of vinegar on ours...just make sure to drench them pretty well, but it is up to you how much).
5. Sprinkle with garlic, sea salt, and pepper.
6. Using a spatula, turn sprouts a few times to make sure they are all coated,
7. Place in oven for 25-30 minutes, depending on how soft or crispy you want them.
8. Devour...guilt free! :)

If you were like me and hate brussels sprouts, try these! And let me know what you think! :)

   

I'm the Guest Blogger on Yuppie Farm Girl for Part 2 - Building Strength and Flexibility at Home

I am so excited and honored to announce that I am blogger, and most importantly my BBF, Lisa Howard's first guest blogger on Yuppie Farm Girl! This is part 2 to Yoga Is Just a Study Hall, so head on over to Yuppie Farm Girl to learn more about how Lisa and I met, the truth about sheep people and pig people (you know you want to read more now!), and some yoga even beginner yogis can do at home (with a step by step guide and PICTURES)!

SNEAK PEAK!

Thank you, Yuppie Farm Girl, for featuring Live, Love, and Do Yoga (or what I will, from this day forward, think of as, Cowboy Boots and Yoga Pants! I see this blog evolving before my very eyes! HEHE!). 

Be sure to go to Yuppie Farm Girl and follow her!

And, of course, keep an eye out for more Lisa and Lauren stories, as Live, Love, and Do Yoga will be featuring Yuppie Farm Girl soon!

Yoga Is Just A Study Hall (Plus, Stay Tuned for Building Strength and Flexibility at Home)

Have you ever been so excited to master a pose in your yoga class? Maybe Handstand or actually balancing in Balancing Half Moon (Ardha Chandrasana) for more than half a second! Feels pretty awesome, right!? I am completely guilty of running straight home to tell my hubby what yogic asana epiphany I just had! (He usually just responds with a "That's nice, babe." He obviously isn't "yoga crazy" like I am.)

But, what you might find yourself doing more of is grading each pose that you come into, even comparing yourself to others. For instance, I could say, "Wow! I actually got into Full Camel (yes, that is me in the picture below), but really I could work on pushing my hips forward a little more and walking my hands further up my feet so that my elbows come down onto the ground, so really I only get a B+."

STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!!!!

Your yoga practice is NOT a test where each pose gets a grade!! That isn't how this works! I actually like to compare yoga to study hall. What?! Why study hall, you ask? Well, because! That's why!

Ok, ok...well, we practice yoga to bring awareness to our breathe and consciousness to what is going on in our bodies and around us in the present moment, not only for the 60-90 minutes that you might practice per day or every other day, but to start to make that awareness and consciousness a habit that will start to seep out into our lives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So, really, everyday life is the test and yoga is just the study hall that helps us prepare for it. My hubby is actually spot-on in his response to me. That IS nice that you feel accomplished by finally being able to come into a pose you never thought you would get. No need to down play that. But, that really isn't why you show up to your mat over and over again, is it? (I see you shaking your head NO). :)

So, while my full camel may not be "picture perfect," at least I won't be graded on it. The test is, can I take that same awareness, calmness, and consciousness off my mat and into my life?

The answer.....I try...and if I fail today I get to wake up tomorrow and try again. :) 

Stay tuned for Part 2 - Building Strength and Flexibility at Home with one simple sequence. One of my oldest and dearest friends, Lisa Howard, writes a blog called Yuppie Farm Girl, and will be featuring Part 2 of this post on Tuesday, September 10th. Be sure to check out her blog! She is amazing! Her and I have been friends for almost 15 years, and have always been kindred spirits. Although she now resides in Arizona with her adorable little family, I am excited to be able to stay connected with her through our efforts to lead healthy, wholesome lives for both ourselves and our families.

Our Food is Our Medicine & Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread {Paleo}

This morning we took a family outing to one of the local produce stands in Suisun Valley, Larry’s Produce.  My hubby wanted to make some Pluot jam and some Citrus Pickled Bell Peppers tonight, so we bought lots of pluots, some bell peppers and some other stuff for the recipe. We also bought kale, figs (YUM!), white peaches, avocados, apples, limes, garnet yams, cilantro, bananas, raw local honey from Vacaville (our home town!) and more. And the best part, we only spent about $45! Believe me, that is fantastic for all of the great food we bought! We already have a ton of zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes and egg plant from our garden and my parent’s garden at the ranch, so I have been sautéing lots of veggies and making other yummy things (hint: recipe below)! We are so blessed to be able to have access to such a vast array of healthy seasonal fresh fruits and veggies! These are exactly what are bodies NEED and CRAVE! This is what I call Soul Food!

Thinking about all of the healthy foods we plan to prepare made me remember that I have been meaning to share with you all a book that I bought during my yoga teacher training when we had a lecture on Ayurvedic Health and Healing. Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is really just a generic term for “traditional medicine” in India.  I could site of bunch of information in which case you would just zone out and probably have no idea where I was going with this, and I am, by no means, an Ayurvedic expert. So instead, what I got out of this lecture and my own research regarding ayurvedic medicine is that we should view the food that we eat as medicine for our bodies, whether we are sick or not! The book, called Eat, Taste, Heal: An Ayurvedic Guidebook and Cookbook for Modern Living is amazing! 

It has wonderful recipes and talks about how to eat for your body type. I personally do not feel that there is necessarily ONE right way to eat. Some people swear by Paleo, some Vegan, some Vegetarian.  I think that there is a healthy and possibly a BETTER way to eat for YOUR body type! If you have Celiac Disease, maybe Paleo is the right way to go for you. But, it may not be the right way for someone else. We are not all made the same. And, it might possibly be that your body is just out of balance, so you might have to eat a certain way for a while to balance things back out, and then you can slowly start to add other things back into your lifestyle. I had to do this at one point. My Nutritionist had me cut out wheat and corn. It was amazing what a difference this made! My digestive system started to feel so much better. I even started to have more energy! Once my system was back in balance, I started to add some wheat products back in. At this time in my life, I choose not to eat most wheat and corn products because I have noticed that my body seems to be happier when I don’t eat them. At any rate, you probably get the idea, right! This book is not a cure all for eating or digestive disorders…but it is certainly interesting and worth the purchase.

Since I had some zucchini lying around, I will leave you with this recipe for some DELICIOUS Melt-In-Your-Mouth Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread…it is even Paleo!!!

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Paleo, Clean Eating, Pure Deliciousness

What You Need:

• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup shredded zucchini (about 1 small zucchini)
• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a bread pan with parchment paper so that a little hangs over each side (to make removal easier) – Personally, I think this is the only way that works with this type of bread!
3. Mix eggs, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla until well combined.
4. Add zucchini and mix well.
5. Add almond flour, shredded coconut, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to wet mixture and mix well.
6. Stir in chocolate chips (optional).
7. Pour batter into bread pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
8. Allow to cool for about 5-10 minutes, then remove from pan.
9. Eat up!

Ok, so this is what happens when your toddler distracts you...you forget to add the chocolate chips!!! That's a crime, right!! 

The up side is, you can always add the chocolate chips to the top! SAVED!

This

Let me just say that this loaf did not last very long at all!