The Spunky Coconut

This website is worth checking out for some creative GF recipes and the chance to win a copy of her new GF cookbook:
http://www.thespunkycoconut.com/

Memorial Day Muffins

I've been experimenting recently with some new gluten-free recipes from Elana's Pantry. All of the recipes are gluten-free and dairy-free but chock-full of wholesome and healthy substitutions - such as almond flour, coconut flour, agave, arrowroot (they sound exotic but most healthfood stores carry them) - for the traditional ingredients. I wish I could take credit for these little gems, but at least I'm helping to spread the word. It is possible to enjoy baked treats that you don't have to feel guilty about. So far I have been very impressed. Here's a great twist on a classic fave:

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
¼ cup coconut flour
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
3 eggs
¼ cup agave nectar
¼ cup grapeseed oil
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon poppy seeds

1. In a medium bowl, combine coconut flour, salt and baking soda
2. In a large bowl, blend together eggs, agave, oil and lemon zest
3. Blend dry ingredients into wet
4. Fold in poppy seeds
5. Spoon 1 tablespoon of batter into each greased mini muffin cup
6. Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes
7. Cool and serve

Makes about about 24 mini-muffins. Happy Memorial Day everyone!

It's finally starting to feel like summer here on the island. The buds are blooming, the grass is growing (at unbelievable speed), the sun is shining bright, and yesterday I would even go so far as to say it was hot! A perfect day to lounge in the garden with the puppy by my side and procrastinate on mowing the lawn.

Happy long weekend everyone!

Finding Our Way

Running for me is meditation. It's peace and quiet, time with myself where I can think or not, where I just go; it's healing and restorative, energizing and inspiring. I feel strong and empowered, and face the rest of my life with that perspective. When I don't run I miss it, I miss the monotony, I miss the high afterward, I miss the intuitive connection with my body. Yoga gives me all of this (and more) but in a different way. Together, my running and my yoga practice complete me. Without one I feel a void.

When I come to this island, running is especially special. It takes on a whole new space in my days and connects me to my surroundings in a very intimate and personal way. As I increase my miles naturally, effortlessly in some sense, I feel the natural progression and I thrive on it.

Two days ago, after a few months of avoiding the issue, I had to make the very very difficult decision to stop running for health reasons. It was a choice between keeping on with something that brings me such happiness and mental clarity or giving this up and taking care of my body's health in another respect. Both are positive for me, and so there was no clear-cut answer.

We're often faced with decisions we'd rather not have to make - choosing between two options, neither of which seems the obvious choice. Nevertheless, we must decide, choose, commit to one side. These can vary greatly in importance or relevance to the grander scheme, but when it's put before us, no matter the significance to others, it can often feel impossible to ourselves. Our lives, composed of relationships, health, work, love, discovery - all require decisions daily; most are done subconsciously, yet others take thought and consideration on a more meaningful level.

Being faced with one which would eventually play a crucial role in my overall well-being felt, and still feels, like a huge mountain that I just don't want to climb. My body needs me to stop running but at the same time needs me to run.

The point is that more often than not in life we are faced with decisions, sometimes without an easy or obvious "right" way to proceed. For the difficult ones, we search deep inside for guidance and we hope, we pray, we believe and trust that our intuition will lead us. We decide, we commit, and we stay consistent. Hopefully, we have support systems to encourage and remind us, but most important is to believe in what we're doing and carry with us that strength of knowledge.

Part of me is itching to lace up my running shoes this morning and head out but I know that I am committing fully, and so I will refocus my energy - I will roll out my mat and set my intention for good health, well-being, and peace of mind to support me.

Stretching in Style

The yoga industry is booming - from new studios popping up daily in the most remote locations to clothing lines geared specifically toward yogis and yoginis with prices that would make you gasp. I am guilty of purchasing a few of these exorbitantly overpriced tops and bottoms, each promising to bring your practice to new heights and allow you to move in ways you never knew possible.

Hmmmm. Let's put things in perspective: we're not fooling anyone - we really just want to look cute and feel good about ourselves as we step onto our mats, right?! Who are we kidding? I can say, from experience, that when I head out for a run or step into a yoga studio or even set off on a long hike, if I am properly dressed or donning a cute outfit it does change the way I approach the activity; I do carry myself differently and have more confidence. It can also inspire us and be incentive to get out the door. There is definitely some truth that in the right gear we are able to move more freely, sweat more without chaffing, and keep things in place that might otherwise wiggle and giggle in unwanted ways. So just as we spend unspeakable prices for the perfect pair of jeans or the sexiest pair of leather boots, so too do we shell out the big bucks for stylish exercise gear. This is NOT to say that you can't score awesome deals on super cute and super affordable gear (um, hellew Target and TJ Maxx) - it just takes a little more digging.

For those of you familiar with the Prada of the yoga clothing world, Lululemon, you probably know that they don't have online ordering. Well my friends, I am here this morning to tell you that has changed. Lululemon now offers online shopping, for an arm and a leg no doubt, but it's available. So if you need a cute outfit to get you inspired to start moving your bod - be it on in the gym, the yoga studio, the pavement - check out a few of my favorite sites to indulge in:

Zobha
Beyond Yoga
Be Present