Colorful Easter Egg Party


Six friends, 10 dozen eggs, too many decorating supplies and food, let the party begin!

It's fun to work on craft projects while snacking and catching up with your friends. Even the men seem to have a good time. Everybody likes a little craft project now and then, it takes us back to simpler times.


Sharpies, crayons, pencils, stickers, eye-balls, rubber stamps, glitter, rhinestones, tie-dye, fabric, the options are endless. Here are some of our creations.










Happy Easter!



Goodbye winter. Hello spring.


10 suggestions to help you enjoy this season to it's fullest:


  • Go for a walk each day. While walking, try to be present and observe everything around you in detail. You will be amazed at how much we pass by and don't notice.
  • Put away your winter clothes and donate anything you haven't worn in over a year.
  • Take a trip to your local farmers market and buy some fresh produce. If you find fennel, try making this delicious Caramelized Fennel crostini appetizer.
  • Give your house a spring cleaning. Clean space, clean mind. You will feel more organized and less stressed.
  • Buy yourself some flowers.
  • Plan a healthy picnic and reconnect with nature.
  • Set aside time to read. It can be a cookbook, a magazine, a book, anything. Just sit down in a chair and read for a minute.
  • Send a card to a friend just to say "hello".
  • Get a haircut or change your hair color.
  • Practice meditation. You can meditate anywhere, anytime. My preference is to find a comfy spot in the sun and focus on my breathing for 5-10 minutes. Inhale, exhale, that's it. Clear your mind of all other thoughts and just focus on your breathing. You will feel refreshed and relaxed.


Green Lemonade



Green Lemonade

Serves: 2


1 lemon
2 cucumbers
6 cups baby spinach
4 sweet apples

When juicing, use organic produce (if possible) and always rinse thoroughly. Cut the apples and cucumber in half and peel the lemon. Press the spinach through your juicer first, follow with the apples, cucumber and the lemon last. Stir to blend and serve.

For maximum health benefit drink immediately. It's always best to drink fresh pressed juices right away, however this juice is also delicious chilled. Much healthier than any juice you might purchase. So get creative and use fresh vegetable and fruit juices whenever possible. If you have a favorite refreshing recipe, I would love to hear from you.

Enjoy!



Gluten Free & Vegan Bakery



***UPDATE - Baby Cakes NYC is now Erin McKenna's Bakery. The post below was written in 2013.***

Vegan, gluten free cookies, cupcakes and donuts...oh my! Last week I visited the Los Angeles location of BabyCakes NYC. I left the bakery feeling elated and inspired. Founded in 2005, BabyCakes has locations in New York, Los Angeles & Orlando. The founder, Erin McKenna, is self taught and worked as a waitress before pursuing her passion of bringing joy (aka healthy baked treats) to the masses. Her inspiration for Babycakes came from seeing parents of children with gluten allergies struggle to give their kids normal treats (how sweet!). The first bakery was a small storefront on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Almost immediately after opening, BabyCakes inspired lines out the door and down the street. It's been a true "American Dream" success story. 



Upon entering the Los Angeles bakery, I was greeted by friendly faces and cases full of freshly baked cookies, cupcakes, brownies, waffles and donuts! All vegan and gluten free. The vibe at the bakery is fun, the staff wears cute retro uniforms and there is always music playing. 


My visit to BabyCakes was specifically for the chocolate chip cookies. Oh my goodness, they are so decadent. One would never guess they were made with pure healthful ingredients. My mouth is watering just thinking about them. I need to go get more.

In addition to the cookies I tested two donut flavors, the coffee crunch and salted caramel. I chose those flavors because they sounded unique, but they also have traditional flavors like maple, powdered sugar, chocolate dipped and more.



I couldn't resist buying a copy of the latest BabyCakes cookbook that was for sale at the bakery. It's full of delicious pictures, recipes and practical advice for the aspiring healthy home baker. I'm so excited to try some of the recipes. You can purchase a copy here on Amazon.


For more information and locations visit their website ErinMckennasBakery.com.


Create Your Own Good Luck


There is a Shamrock growing in my garden! The Shamrock represents St. Patricks Day, but it also represents good luck. I believe we create our own "good luck" in life. 

Here are 5 tips to help create more good "luck" in your life:

  1. Teach yourself to be positive and optimistic. The person with a glass half full considers themselves much more lucky than the person with the glass half empty. 
  2. Be aware of all opportunities that cross your path and keep an open mind. If you have narrow thinking, you will have narrow options. Anxiety and stress can also cause people to miss the most obvious of possibilities.
  3. Don't get easily discouraged. When things don't go according to plan, focus on what went right and how things could have been worse. Lucky people tend to turn misfortune in their favor. 
  4. Get out of your rut. Try a different approach or change up your routine. 
  5. Believe it's possible for you to have good fortune. Believe you are lucky. Your subconscious mind will create situations for you to succeed.
You can be lucky everyday, you just need the right attitude. The more stressed and inflexible you are, the less luck you will find. 


For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
~Author Unknown