Archives: March 2011

Energy Bars, a GREAT on-the-go snack!

Energy Bars, a GREAT on-the-go snack!

My new favorite cookbook is out on shelves. I purchased one and now I’m recommending it out into the blog world. The book is called Clean Start by Terry Walters. She has amazing, clean recipes that are delicious!

She also wrote Clean Food – which is my other favorite cookbook.

Yesterday I made what Terry calls energy squares – they are perfect for adults AND kids!

Here’s the recipe which I tweaked a little bit:

1 cup peanut butter (or almond, cashew or any other of your favorite nut butters)

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 1/4 cups crispy brown rice cereal

½ cup raw almonds

½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

¾ cup ground flax seeds

In a medium pot over low heat, whisk together peanut butter and maple syrup. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine rice cereal, almonds, coconut and ground flaxseeds. Fold ingredients into peanut butter mixture until all ingredients are incorporated.

Rinse an 8×8 baking dish with cold water to prevent sticking. Spoon the batter into the dish and press firmly to even it all out. Refrigerate for 45 minutes or until firm. Remove from refrigerator and cut into squares. Store in airtight container and enjoy!

It’s officially time for me to write a review about what I think is the most incredible restaurant in NYC.

Simply because it’s Italian and they offer many gluten free options as well as grass fed meat!!

WOW – this is a dream come true for me. As soon as you sit down someone comes over and asks if there are any allergies at the table. Amazing!

Then you have the option of regular bread OR gluten free bread dipped in olive oil – a serious dream come true 🙂

Bistango has been an Italian life saver. I thought I was doomed for boring grilled salmon at every Italian restaurant, but it turns out that there is hope for us GF eaters. I don’t mind eating grilled salmon, but it has to be on my terms, not because it’s the only thing on the menu that I can actually eat.

Now I’m not saying that you should go to Bistango and eat a crazy amount of food because you will most likely get a stomachache, but what I am saying is that you can have the option, if you eat the right amount, to walk out of there feeling pleasantly full without a stomachache on the horizon.

Did I mention that the owner is always there walking around in his white apron greeting guests? He is probably the nicest man I have ever encountered at a restaurant – he actually cares about his patrons and is always looking to please the customers.

You are sure to have an incredible experience at Bistango, take my word.

Everyone can find something to eat here – I promise. Next time you’re in the mood for Italian, head to Bistango and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

P.S. no they’re not paying me to write this! I just really like this place and had to share the great find with you all.

Enjoy!

I’ve got another incredible home remedy tip for you – get ready to be seriously wowed!

Last week while I was making homemade jam, the boiling water splattered up at me and nicked my pointer finger just above the nail. OUCH!

I immediately let the cold water run over it, got the ice pack and hoped for the best. As it continued to burn, I didn’t have fresh aloe so I bit the bullet and tried Neosporin with a Band Aid. Nope… nothing. I was still in pain.

Then, as I was continuously blowing on my finger I remembered that turmeric is really helpful when it comes to burns!

So I went over to the pantry and got out the turmeric powder. I wiped off the Neosporin, sprinkled the turmeric onto my burn and prayed for some sort of relief. Well my finger was still hurting quite a bit, so I decided to blow on it.

I’m telling you within 5 minutes the burning sensation was gone and I sat there shocked. The next day my burn, which had previously blistered started to de-flate.

Yes, just another incredible find right in your pantry.

Let your pantry be your pharmacy. You’d never know what your spices/herbs can do for you without the research.

Get interested – these remedies are most likely sitting in your house right now!

As the month of March progresses I am optimistic that Spring is slowly inching closer with each day. The best part about Spring is the cleanse that we all know we need after hibernating all Winter long. Well, for me, after a week of my stomach feeling a bit off with the usual bloating, pains and mucus I decided to take my cleanse now.

Why is it that after all I do for myself, I still have these flare-ups? I am constantly asking myself this question, but I’ve come to the conclusion that it is and always will be a work in progress. Today I feel better, but who knows what tomorrow will bring. I won’t worry about tomorrow today though – staying present and in the moment only helps my tummy feel better. Luckily I know the tools to get myself out of the funk and am grateful for that everyday.

As a yoga teacher, I have really stressed this topic of staying in the moment with all of my students. Snap into the now and focus on how your body is feeling right this second. Whatever you’re feeling, just notice it, breathe into it and live it.

I find that when my stomach bothers me, instead of obsessing constantly about why it’s like this, what I ate or stressed about to bring myself into this state – I close my eyes and take at least 2 rounds of a breathing exercise. Here’s the one I love, which always calms my mind/thoughts without fail every time.

It’s a 4-7-8 ratio breath. Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts and exhale for 8 counts. Do between 1-5 rounds of this and wow will you feel lighter, more clear and alive all at the same time.

Try it! It can’t hurt.

Happy breathing 🙂