Sunday, September 9, 2012
Chocolate Heart Cupcake and Frosting Recipe (Gluten + Grain Free + Low Glycemic)
I have long been a fan of Elana's, but haven't really been on her site lately, as it's too hot to bake and I don't really eat a lot of "baked" goods- even gluten and grain free ones. However, I had a taste for something "cake-y" and I made a version of her Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes and Frosting. They're good- not super sweet like your general run of the mill cupcakes, but they will hit the spot.
CUPCAKES
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup cacao powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda (aluminum free)
4 eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup xyiltol (other options: palm sugar, coconut sugar, date sugar)
Mix dry ingredients. Add in wet ingredients. Pour into silicon cupcake molds or a muffin pan with paper liners. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes. Cool and Serve. Makes approximately 8 cupcakes.
FROSTING
For the frosting I used one organic dark chocolate bar from Trader Joes and mixed with 1/4 cup coconut oil and almost a tablespoon of vanilla extract.
Heated very briefly on the lowest heat and mixed together. You can place in refrigerator for approximately 15-30 minutes to thicken. Then whip frosting with a hand blender till it's thick and fluffy.
Frost cupcakes. Enjoy!
* All ingredients except the eggs (which I get at the farmers market), I purchase from my favourite go to: iherb.com. Use code: GOG211 for $5-10 off your first order.
Organic IS BETTER
You may have heard the news... or read the article re: Standford research claiming organic is not any better for you. I had a laugh. Seriously? Chemicals, pesticides, soil nutrition... is the same? Really? Umm... what a crazy thing to say! ORGANIC IS BETTER. It's better for the bees, the trees, the water, the soil, farming communities, farm workers, their children, everyone's unborn children, the planet... need I go on? There is a great article in Grist- HERE more about this.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Newport, Rhode Island
Sometimes you just need a mini break that's mindless where you can really relax, sleep and relax some more. Newport, Rhode Island is a perfect spot. It's quaint, idyllic, with just enough to do. Sailing is a must- could do daily. Walk the Cliff Walk. See the mansions. Take a dip in the ocean. And eat chocolate peanut butter ice cream from Kilwins. It's been a really long time since I had ice cream (dairy), but I still think it's safe to say it's the best chocolate peanut butter ice cream I've ever had. Perfection. I'll be back. :)
Monday, July 16, 2012
"Your life is right now! It's not later! It's not in that time of retirement. It's not when the lover gets here. It's not when you've moved into the new house. It's not when you get the better job. Your life is right now. It will always be right now. You might as well decide to start enjoying your life right now, because it's not ever going to get better than right now-until it gets better right now!" -Abraham
Lovely Greens
I love greens. Not only do I think they're delicious, and we know they're nutritious, but they're really quite beautiful too. I am still buying them from Two Guys From Woodbridge (the third image is a new one- can't remember the name) and also have a bunch of potted lettuces from the farmers market and from seeds.
Can't Wait! Eat your greens. :)
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Cucumber Refreshers Recipe
In the summer- especially when it's so so hot out I crave cooling foods.
One of them is cucumber and the other is watermelon. Lots.
I've been making mixing up these refreshers... aren't they pretty? :)
Well they are easy and delicious too.
Green: Peeled cucumber. Fresh mint leaves. Juice 1/2 lemon. Ice. Mix in Vitamix.
Optional: Sometimes I add in a few droppers of my favourite green tea extract.
Pink: Peeled cucumber. Fresh mint leaves. Juice 1/2 lemon. Watermelon. Ice. Mix in Vitamix.
Be cool + refresh. :)
Enjoy!!!
Chi Kung: The Healing Workout with Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson Review
"The Healing Workout: Chi Kung - soothing easy-to-learn exercises for lasting health and vitality. The sharpness of the mind, the strength of the body, and the clarity of the spirit are all essential for health and vitality. Chi Kung exercises work on all three. Chi Kung training combines the quiescent state of meditation with graceful Ta Chi-like movements in order to form energy building exercises. So effective are these exercises that today in China, Chi Kung is prescribed for ailments and illnesses as readily as medicine is administered in the West. So powerful are these exercises that for centuries Martial Artists have use Chi Kung to empower their fighting and athletic abilities. Yet these exercises are simple, gentle, easy-to-learn and are for all ages and levels of fitness and coordination. This program combines an award-winning collection of stunning nature footage with exercises demonstrated by Master Instructor Jerry Alan Johnson."
How awesome are these images? May seem a little cheesy- kind of cult-like, but it's not. The movements are well explained and after you watch/do the workout many times you will not tire of the instruction. The images in the background are of forests, lakes, glaciers, the sky- all natural and beautiful and I find them to be soothing and calm. Same with the music and their dress- meant not to distract, but to sooth. Definitely different vs my Tracy Anderson workouts as you have to take it down a few notches, but the benefits are not any less- just different. It's somewhat like a reset, coupled with relaxation, and I find myself with more clarity and aware of how present I am. I love this workout. You may too. :)
Make Your Own Ice with a Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray
I'm so glad I got this stainless steel ice cube tray. I haven't had ice at home in a long long time and am not one to put ice in my water or drinks usually... but when it gets hot I like to make these "refreshers". :) Blended/crushed ice makes them a little more refreshing. Why stainless steel? I don't want plastic particles (chemicals- BPA, etc) in my ice cubes. Being frozen it does sometimes take a few tries to free the ice, but it's so worth it. I use fresh spring water. Cheers!
hhb Social Media Highlights
Some readers let me know they're not so into all this social media...
so I thought I'd start recapping highlights as best I can. Don't want you to miss any goodies. ;) Cheers!
♥ Check out the slideshow too. Beautiful.
"Time decides whom you will meet in life.
-unknown ♥
How beautiful is this self watering planter?! You can pre-order now.
W O W ! :) Taking care of yourself = POWERFUL.http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3391/Before-and-After-Photos-A-Month-of-Meditation.html
L O V E Finding Joe! When you watch... it will be the perfect time. Extra special appreciation for Brian Johnson +Alexandra Jaye Johnson. ♥ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AudQbaFN6jU
"When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use.
When diet is correct, medicine is of no need."
-Ancient Ayurvedic Proverb ♥
The Midwife as Status Symbol: "The rising popularity of midwifery among cosmopolitan women also coincides with larger cultural shifts toward all things natural, whether it’s organic foods, raw diets or homeopathic remedies." ♥
♥ "You are not abnormal. No two yoni’s are the same. One of your breasts is likely slightly different in size and shape than the other. Every inch of you that is manifested in lines, wrinkles, curves, etc… IT IS ALL NORMAL. Your body’s imperfections are beautiful. Accept yourself for who she is and know you are a reflection of divine perfection."http://www.gaiascouts.com/you-are-extraordinarily-normal/Sunday, June 17, 2012
Sewing Seeds CSA Garden Party + Natural Dye Garden, Brooklyn NY
I had the pleasure of going to a CSA Garden Party right here in Brooklyn, NY.
It's quite a lovely space where they grow organic vegetables, complete with their own bees,
and a natural dye garden. Super cool!
A few more pictures can be found on INSTAGRAM. :)
Cheers!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Happy Healthy Balance is now on Instagram!
Yosemite 2012
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." -John Muir ♥
I have long wanted to go to Yosemite... especially after seeing Ken Burns: The National Parks. Yosemite is spectacular! Magnificent! Gorgeous! The pictures don't do it justice. Impossible to capture it's magnitude. You must experience for yourself. You will be in awe and speechless and you will breathe the cleanest air you have ever breathed. Go. Enjoy. It's so delicious.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Tracy Anderson's Metamorphosis Trampoline (Rebounding) Cardio DVD Workout Review
I was super happy to receive my Tracy Anderson Mini-Trampoline
(rebounding) Cardio workout as it has been on back order for about a
month.
I have been rebounding on a daily basis for almost a year now. Mostly with my own routine of jumps and kicks whilst watching TV or listening to music or an audio. From time to time I kick it up and will use Tracy's YouTube trampoline workout, which is awesome- just quite intense and probably intimidating for one starting out. It is also broken up into parts and not as fluid. The DVD rebounding workout seems easier or rather more user friendly vs her YouTube
one. If you are familiar with her Metamorphosis Cardio workout you will
find it is practically the same... just adapted for the rebounder, which
makes sense since it is part of the same series. It has a simple grey computer generated background.
Unlike the other Metamorphosis DVDs... you do you not have control over the setting selections ("full audio mix, music only, tracy's voice only"). There are in fact no selections aside from "play". The workout is 30 minutes. For the entire 30 minutes the music is on- same track that is on the cardio workout. For the first 3 minutes you have Tracy's voice talking about the workout. After so many times using the DVD I am sure some will tire of the message... but at least it's only 3 minutes long. You have the option of muting and using your own music.
My rebounder is by Jumpsport, which I LOVE and use almost daily (review/details HERE). It has bands vs coils
as is as quiet as a rebounder (mini trampoline) can get. Rebounding has many benefits and I have become somewhat addicted in a good way to the bounce. Though I really like her cardio workout, I cannot currently use due to insufficient insulated floors and I prefer rebounding.
I rebound barefoot. I do not wear shoes as she does. I am into barefoot running/research that has come out and thought I would share as it might work for some of you. Tracy does all her workouts in shoes.
All in all I am glad I purchased the DVD. Some will prefer just to jump
on their rebounder and come up with their own routines as I have, but
it's nice to have a cleaner version of her workout. Tracy's intensity
definitely brings your workout up and rebounding is so beneficial to your
health. I think it's worth $30. Cheers!
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