Kale Energizer

Kale Energizer

Serves 2

1 bunch kale
8 organic carrots
2 celery stalks
1 cucumber
2-3 green apples
1 lemon
fresh ginger 

Use organic produce whenever possible and wash thoroughly. I keep the skin on my produce, cut everything in half and press it through a juicer. Drink right away and enjoy a boost of vitamins and minerals.

Cheers!

Small Changes Required

Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes.

I believe I'm a positive person, so whether you're positive (or not) it's important to make sure your actions will bring about positive results. Small actions can make big changes in your life. Everything has a ripple effect. New Year's makes a good starting marker for change.

Here are 5 small actions I'm making to create positive changes for 2013.

1. Make a change in my environment. I purchased several new house plants and some fresh herbs. It's important to have plants inside your house to purify the air and balance the energy. Plus tending to plants is good for the soul and creates lessons in patience and attention. The herbs I purchased were basil and cilantro. I love basil, but in the past I cannot seem to grow it. Thyme, parsley and rosemary seem to be hardier herbs and are easier to grow. This year will be different! I have logged many hours of research since my last attempt and I feel confident that this time I will succeed. This year I will have home grown basil!

2. Make a change in my fitness routine. I ordered and received the DDP Yoga DVD's. My boyfriend suffers from a bad back and I've been trying to get him to do yoga for years. DDP Yoga was created by ex-wrestler Diamond Dallas Page and has a tag line "It ain't your mama's yoga". This attitude made it easier to sell yoga to him, so we got the DVD's and have started doing them together.

3. Make a change to improve my health. My juicer has been in the cupboard for too many months. Time to pull it out and start juicing again. I will share my favorite juice blends in the future. (Added bonus, the pulp I get from juicing will be used as mulch for my new herbs!)

4. Make a change that benefits my mind. I bought myself a couple of new books. One is instructional and the other is a satire. Recently I realized that I only read magazines and blogs. Reading is like jogging for the mind and my brain needs a cognitive workout. 

5. Make a change to reduce stress. Being unorganized creates stress. Time is wasted if you're constantly looking for things. This year I will finish organizing my house so that I know where everything is. I'm half way there. 

Look for me to elaborate further in upcoming posts. Hope this helps inspire you to toss your first stone to create your own ripple effect.

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

- Vincent Van Gogh

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." 

- Edward Everett Hale

Happy New Year

Starting the New Year out at Santa Anita Park race track with friends. Hoping all your choices are winners in 2013!

Apple Walnut Breakfast Bread Pudding

On New Years morning I plan on staying in my pajamas, sipping coffee and eating something delicious, without lifting a finger. No cooking or dishes on New Years morning. Instead I will relax, give thanks and welcome in the New Year with a scrumptious make ahead bread pudding. 

Apple and Walnut Breakfast Bread Pudding

2 tablespoons butter for greasing pan
1 loaf french bread
2 apples - peeled, cored and cubed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups organic sugar
6 eggs - lightly beaten
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 cups milk
1 cup half and half
2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Melt butter and brush the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 inch pan. Cover the bottom with cubes of french bread. Sprinkle top with apple cubes and walnuts. In a medium bowl, combine sugar, eggs, cinnamon, milk, half and half and vanilla, whisk to blend. Pour the mixture over the casserole and press down so all of the bread is covered. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. 

The next day, bring casserole pan back to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover pan with foil and bake covered for 45 minutes. Uncover and allow the top to brown for a few minutes. 

Serve with a side of maple syrup and a dollop of whipped cream. Yummy.

Enjoy!

Sugar and Spice Candied Nuts

I love giving homemade gifts and mason jars are my favorite way to package them. Raw nuts make a lovely, healthy gift on their own but if you want to spice things up try these candied nuts. These sugar & spice nuts make a wonderful hostess gift and they are an excellent addition to any cheese platter. 

Sugar and Spice Candied Nuts

2/3 cups dark brown sugar
1 1/3 cups organic sugar
2 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 pound walnuts
1 pound almonds
2 egg whites, room temperature
2 tablespoons water

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix sugars, salt, paprika and cinnamon, making sure there are no lumps, set aside. In a large bowl beat egg whites and water until frothy. Add the nuts to egg mixture and stir until they are evenly coated. Sprinkle the egg coated nuts with sugar mixture, stirring as you sprinkle to make sure they are evenly coated. Spread nuts in a single layer on parchment paper covered cookie sheets. You will need two cookie sheets for this amount. Bake 30-35 minutes, stirring several times. Remove from the oven and separate the nuts as they cool. When they are completely cool, break up any nuts that stick together and put in a mason jar.

Enjoy!

Happy Holidays

Live everyday like it's a Holiday.