Coconut Oil

I'm pretty in love with coconut oil these days. Really any coconut product - milk, water, oil, and yes...even yogurt!! So I thought I'd share some of the ways in which coconut products are incredibly beneficial for your health and wellness.

When my hair is feeling pretty dry I'll use handful of coconut oil and work it from the ends of my hair up. Then I'll throw it up in a bun and leave it in for at least 6 hours. Do this once or twice a week for a month and your hair will love you!

I just got back from my first Forrest Yoga Mentorship weekend today. I am beyond grateful for the experience and can't even find the words to process how amazing it was!! A recommendation given to me (and my fellow trainees) was to rub oil all over the body before showering - as a one minute pre-shower ritual to show the body some love, and to start to "wake-up" the parts of the body that are shut down or "dead" (i.e. pelvic floor, hips, feet, stomach etc). I tried this tonight and have to say...it's nice! It made me more aware of all the parts of my body, and how grateful I was to have them. It was also nice to show my body gratitude for all it does by massaging sore spots with the oil. I used all organic coconut oil. What's great is that the shower rinses most of it off but afterwards the skins maintains enough moisture so you can bypass the lotion!

Finally, one of my favorite uses for coconut oil - food. I made this raw pie a few weeks ago and have been craving it ever since. If you're a choco-holic (like myself) you'll LOVE this pie! Plus it's good for you! I love finding recipes that use no sugar, no soy, no gluten, and no wheat. Enjoy!!

Raw Chocolate Mousse Pie

Adapted from simply raw by joel odhner
The particulars:

• 2 cups shredded coconut
• 2 cups pitted dates
• 2-3 ripe avocados (YES AVOCADOS)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, softened
• 1/2 cup raw honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup carob powder

1. To make the crust, mix the coconut and dates in the food processor until a sticky, dough-like substance forms. This might take a minute or so. Tip the mixture into a springform cake tin (or any tin with a removable base) and press into the bottom and sides. Make sure it is even and that it comes up the sides about an inch.
2. Prepare the filling by first mashing the avocados in a bowl until there aren’t any big lumps. Transfer to the food processor and add the coconut oil, honey/syrup, and powders. Process until smooth – the end result should look (and taste!) like chocolate mousse.
3. Pour the filling into the prepared crust and smooth out with a knife or spatula. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least an hour.
4. To serve, remove plastic wrap and re-smooth with the knife or spatula, and decorate with raspberries (or any fruit you want!)

 

 

Happy Sunday!! <3

"Clean" Banana Muffins

My Sunday LOL meetings (LOL - Live Out Loud) have also inspired me to add recipes to my blog.

One of my big passions is cooking - especially baking! My friends often ask me what I eat to keep a balanced/healthy life. Not to get too deep in this post, but I come from a background of struggling with an eating disorder. If I'm not mindful, I starve. This being said, I need to prep my meals for my really busy schedule so I make sure I eat.

As a yoga teacher, I view food as fuel for my body. I want to teach quality classes as well as generate creativity and inspiration to keep evolving. I strongly suggest getting in tune with your body and listening to it. See what foods sit well with you and which ones don't. Currently, eating gluten-free and healthy protein has been feeling great for me. I used to be vegan for 5 years. While I love vegan food, the diet did not serve my body well.

Anyway, here's an awesome Banana Muffin Recipe I love for a quick bite on my way out to teach or to take a Yoga class!

Clean/ Gluten Free Banana Muffins

I've modified this recipe by substituting greek yogurt with almond yogurt. I try to stay away from dairy so that's why I changed it up. It's tastes great with the greek yogurt if that agrees with your body! 

Ingredients

*2 /1/2 cup oats (old fashioned kind, not quick cooking)
*1 single serving cup of plain low fat greek yogurt
*2 eggs
*3/4 cup sweetener - honey or 2 tbs stevia sweetener
*1 1/2 tsp baking powder
*1/2 tsp baking soda
*2 bananas

Optional: You can also add chopped blueberries or strawberries to the batter AFTER it has been in the blender. 

 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray tin with non-stick cooking spray or line 12 muffin tins with silicone or foil liners, (or just use a silicone muffin pan). ( Note: Paper liners seem to stick a lot to flourless muffins, so your best bet if you don't have silicone is to spray the muffin tin and go linerless. Don't use paper muffin cups! )
2. Place all of the ingredients, including bananas in a blender or food processor, and blend until oats are smooth. 
3. Divide batter among cupcake liners, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.


Enjoy!!