Say YES

A couple of weeks ago, I finally saw the Jim Carrey movie, "Yes Man."

In the flick, Jim Carrey's character is a man stuck in his own cycle of negativity; a dead end job, no desire to socialize and no girlfriend.

He runs into an old buddy who introduces him to a self help program that entails saying "yes" to every opportunity.

Hysterics ensue as saying "yes" leads to a bevvy of absurdities and ultimately, positive changes in his life.

Why not try incorporating a little "Yes Man" into your life?

Maybe when your group exercise instructor demonstrates a new body weight exercise, instead of thinking to yourself that you can't possibly do it, just say, "Yes!" And give it a go!

Perhaps you are out to dinner with friends at an Ethiopian restaurant and a strange dish is placed in the middle of the table fro everyone to eat with their hands. Say, "OK! I'm down to try it!"

That new fashion trend?? Just wear it!

Don't limit yourself with self inflicted boundaries. Instead open yourself up to a whole new world of saying, "YES!"

Within reason of course ...

(image from: bigstockphoto.com)

Sweet Potato Pancake

I had to share my breakfast with you!

Try this recipe for a filling, protein packed morning meal!

Sweet Potato Pancake with Strawberry topping Recipe

1/2 cooked sweet potato with skin (I bake them at 350 degrees for an hour)
3/4 cup egg whites
1 scoop protein powder (I used ON Vanilla Egg White)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp ground flax seed
1 packet Stevia
1 cup frozen strawberries

In a blender, combine egg whites, sweet potato, protein powder, flax, vanilla, 1/2 of the packet of stevia and cinnamon. Blend until smooth.

Heat a skillet sprayed with non stick cooking spray. Pour in sweet potato mixture.
Allow to cook on one side like a pancake, flip when dark brown and crispy.
While pancake is cooking, defrost strawberries in microwave for about 2 minutes. Add remaining stevia and smush into a chunky sauce.
When pancake is brown on both sides, serve on a plate with strawberry topping!
Enjoy!

Yogavive Chips

I am a victim of clever retailing.
It's not even really clever.
Truly, I am a sucker for overt, shoving in your face to buy items in the check out line.

As I waited in what was seemingly an endless line at HomeGoods, I was tantalized by the items that surrounded me from every angle. I contemplated purchasing scented candles, wacky key chains, reading glasses, an ipod speaker system, golf accessories and flavored coffee. Then, I spied a bin full of shiny, puffy little packages with the word "yoga" sprawled across them.

They had me with the balloon like packaging, but yoga sealed the deal.

I picked up a package of Yogavive Organic Popped Fuji Apple Chips and added them to the booty I scored that day.

I deflated the package of "fat-free, crispy, gluten free, vegan and no added sugar Caramel flavored apple chips and discovered a satisfying taste sensation.

I completely realize eating a whole, fresh Fuji apple would have another level of nutrition and delicious crunch, but these light, crispy chips delivered a delicious, 35 calorie, fun snack.

Yogavive chips would be especially useful in getting kids and produce-phobes to eat some fruit!

Learn more and purchase Yogavive chips here: http://yogavive.com

(image from: yogavive.com)

Eden Foods Genmai Miso

I've recently been delving into the Yin/Yang world of Macrobiotics.

A staple of the diet are soups; most commonly homemade miso soups.

Miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans and rice, or soybeans and barley, or just soybeans.

Miso was a superfood before the term was even coined. Filled with enzymes and microorganisms that act as "probiotics" to the gut, miso is considered a "live" food. Flourinating your gut with good bacteria like that found in miso, aids digestion and helps encourage an overall more healthy internal environment in your body.

I reached out to Eden Foods (http://edenfoods.com), the premier provider of not only the most high quality organic foods, but a supplier of many food items for the macrobiotic lifestyle. You must browse their website for healthy, cullinary inspiration!

Eden Foods graciously sent me their Genmai Miso to try.

Genmai Miso is made from soybeans and brown rice, aged in cedar kegs for eighteen months. The result is a coppery, deep brown, flavorful paste perfect for salad dressings and miso soup.

I dove right in, making a batch of carrot, ginger, miso salad dressing. Please see the recipe below ... it is divine!

Then, I made my first pot of miso soup. I used the recipe at Edenfoods.com and tweaked it a bit. http://www.edenfoods.com/recipes/view.php?recipes_id=247
(Be sure to delve into the extensive recipe section on their site - there is an entire section devoted to macrobiotics!)


The soup was so easy to make, turned out superbly delicious and was one of my most rewarding cooking experiences ever. There is something really special about using fresh ingredients, lovingly washing and cutting veggies, smelling the miso meld into the simmering soup and serving such a lovely dish. There is a simplicity and sophistocation to colorful veggies floating in a cloudy, bronzy miso broth. I snapped a picture that doesn't quite capture my soup's beauty, but you get the drift!

Try incorporating miso into your current diet and reap the tasty and biological benefits!

Be sure to shop Edenfoods.com for an amazing array of organic, ethnic and specialty foods.


Miso Carrot Ginger Salad Dressing:
1- large organic carrot
1/2 cup filtered water
juice of 1/2 fresh lime
1 tbsp Eden Toasted Sesame Oil (http://www.edenfoods.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=109420)
1 tbsp Flax Oil
2 tbsp Eden Genamai Miso (http://www.edenfoods.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=107780
1 - 2 inch chunk of fresh organic ginger with or without peel
1 tbsp Braggs Liquid Aminos

Cut carrot into blendable chunks.
Place all ingredients in Vitamix or powerful blender and blend.

Refrigerate unused dressing for up to one week.

Oldie Sunday - 3 bites

Happy Easter!
Enjoy the holiday ... but, remember moderation today ...
Read this oldie, but look damn goodie for a portion control technique:
http://damn-ilookgood.blogspot.com/2009/12/victoria-beckhams-three-bite-rule.html

Nancy's Organic Cottage Cheese

After the four hour yoga workshop on Saturday, I faced a 45 minute drive home with only an organic apple in my possession.

That wasn't gonna cut it.

I was starving and my muscles were screaming for protein.

I rolled into the local Truckee, CA natural foods store, New Moon Natural Foods.
http://newmoonnaturalfoods.com/

They were about to close, so the pickins were slim in their prepared foods case that usually has salads, raw food meals, veggie sushi, etc ...

I wandered over to their refrigerated cases and noticed a very convenient, single serving size package of Nancy's Organic Cottage Cheese.

I picked it out of the cooler and examined the label on the perfectly cute 8oz serving cup. You can view the details on the label above and see why I was impressed. This organic cottage cheese is a stellar way to get post workout protein.

Plus, a serving is really only 1/2 cup, so each "single" serving container gives you two shots of high quality, mostly slow absorbing casein protein.

$1.89 bought me my fix. Not bad for a whole food protein source when you consider the price of a serving of protein powder - which is highly processed no matter how you try to spin it!

I cracked open the container and discovered the thickest, creamiest, tangiest, tastiest cottage cheese I've ever devoured. The tangy taste comes from Nancy's old fashioned culturing process which loads this cottage cheese with probiotics! BONUS!!

I was full after half the container and satiated well past my 45 minute ride home.

Nancy's also makes an entire line of cultured soy and dairy products.

You can find a retailer of Nancy's products here: http://nancysyogurt.com

(image from: nancysyogurt.com)