Yesterday I mentioned that time has come to embark on a happy, healthy be-the-best-Maya-I-can-be cleanse. I am happiest and healthiest when my mind, body and soul are nourished, and when I'm making decisions I can be proud of. I suspect this same formula works for most of us.

So here goes! :)

Starting tomorrow, the following 21 days will go a little something like this:

• I will make mindful, joyous food decisions that make me happy... and I will keep a food journal.
• I will continue Move-ember right into December.
  
• At 8pm most evenings*, a media fast will commence. No TV, twitter, facebook, email, etc.
• At 8pm most evenings**, a food fast will commence. My gut will get some much needed downtime.
• At around noon every day, I will take an actual lunch break. Novel concept, really.
  

I bet you were expecting something completely different! ;)

The point is simply to take a breather from all of the things that prevent me from feeling my best. It's a chance to reset... right before the holiday madness!


What makes you feel your very best?

mxo


* Except, of course, for the occasional movie night with my hubby!

** To this there will be a few exceptions as I'm not prepared to pass on my various holiday dinner parties. This is my favourite time of year afterall! :)

contemplations...

Truth: It's been a very busy November.

Truth: My Move-ember challenge is nearing an end and I can't wait to tell you all about it.


But for now, I want to write to you about another topic.

A few things have happened over the last few days that have got me thinking. They aren't necessarily related, but they have all inspired my next venture.

First, much to my poor husband's dismay, I have been watching a lot of Oprah's Lifeclass recently. After a particularly indulgent, off-kilter weekend, I watched an episode on Sunday that struck a cord. It was all about living your purpose, pursuing your passion, and being the person you were meant to be.

Second, I had a discussion with a colleague today about the validity of wholistic medicine. We disagreed about many things, but there was one point we certainly saw eye to eye on. Most people, we agreed, are not interested in doing the hard work that true health and prevention require. Few of us are truly committed to eating well, exercising our minds and bodies, or learning to deal with stress - the true pillars of health. Most of us just want a quick fix.

Third, I was reminded today just how fleeting life truly is. It is both too long and much too short to waste on things you do not love.

I have been mulling all of this over for the last few days, and it's leading to some deep-seated changes... for now I can deduce the following with certainty:

1. I am passionate about health, nutrition, fitness, living joyously and helping others do the same.
2. I want to inspire others to engage in the "hard" work of being happy and healthy, and I want to do so by proving that it's not that hard at all. It begins with me.
3. Life is both too long and far too short to be anything but happy and healthy.
   

1 + 2 + 3 = a 21-day happy, healthy be-the-best-Maya-I-can-be "cleanse"... the details of which I will share tomorrow. :)


Bye for now!
mxo

mamamamamaaaaaaaaaa.. MACA!

I have been getting a lot of questions recently about what I eat, when I eat it, why I eat it, etc. In fact, people are so curious that when I make my lunch at work, I usually have to give a mini lecture on every ingredient. So much fun! :)

It's made me think: I should share all of these tidbits with you!

Without further ado, here is my first happy, healthy tip... all about MACA!


What's Maca?
Good question! Maca, or lepidium meyenii (who's a smartie pants?!), comes from the Andes in Peru.

It looks like this:
This root vegetable has been harvested for centuries for its high medicinal and nutritional value. It's packed full of goodness like:

• protein
• fibre
• calcium
• magnesium
• potassium
• iron
• zinc
• fatty acids
• amino acids
• selenium

It's pretty much magic!


Why should you care?
Maca is an adaptogen which balances the entire endocrine system.

Translation: it balances hormones responsible for metabolism, energy levels, growth, sexual stamina, stress, anxiety, and fatigue. It literally helps make you happy and healthy.


How to use maca?
It seems there are all sorts of ways to enjoy maca: mashed or boiled, as a porridge, in salads, etc.

But perhaps the most accessible form of maca is powder. This is the brand I use:
It costs about $13 and can be picked up at most health food stores. You only need 1 tsp per day (as it's super condensed), so it will last awhile. I throw 1 tsp into my morning smoothie. Super duper easy peasy!

Questions? Just say so!

Oh yes, one more thing... ENJOY!
mxo

Let there be soup...

What a BEAUTIFUL Saturday it is in Toronto! 10c, sun is shining, and the trees are all sorts of colourful colours. It's the kind of day that makes you love autumn as much as I do (a lot!)

My first week of my Move-ember challenge went very well. I made it to all of my Jock Yoga bootcamp sessions, attended an amazing JaneyB class (they are all amazing!), and let Jillian Michael's destroy my buns and thighs. Tomorrow I'm thinking of trying a kettlebell class at energyXchange for my fitness wildcard. My muscles are sore but, folks, my soul is singing. Exercise is magical. Yoga is life-altering. Etc, etc.

But enough about that...

Every Tuesday I come home from work to find a bin of glorious organic and (mostly) local vegetables waiting on my porch. We always get the small bin, perfect for two veggie lovers (and one spinach-loving cat), and I let Front Door Organics decide what to put in the bin. I love the surprise... and if forces me to be more creative with what I cook and eat.

But sometimes I end up with a lot of something that I don't quite know what to do with... like onions.


Now, if you know me well, you know I don't particularly love onions. I respect them wholeheartedly and use them in most of my cooking, but I squirm and squirm if I find a raw onion on my salad or in my wrap. So when I found myself with two bags of organic onions, some of which started to look like this...


... I didn't quite know what to do. Throwing them out was not an option. So I went through my cookbooks and remembered a super delicious, vegan, gluten free, and easy peasy French Canadian Onion Soup!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp/ gluggs of olive oil
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced (or in my case, about 10 little ones)
• 2 leeks, white parts only, thinly sliced (optional as I didn't have any today)
• 1 cup or so mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 4 cups mushroom or veggie broth (water will work as well)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp gluten-free tamari
• 1 tsp tarragon, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper
• 4 slices of bread
  
• 1 clove garlic

How-to:

1. Thinly slice onions, leeks and mushrooms.
2. In a pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, leeks and mushrooms. Cover, reduce heat so that the veggies sweat (not fry). Stir often. If things are getting too spicy hot in your pan, add a little water. Steam-cook/ sweat the veggies for 15-20 mins.
3. Add broth, maple syrup, tamari and tarragon. Increase heat, bring everything to a boil. Then reduce the heat back down and let it simmer.
   
4. Taste, add salt and pepper if necesary.
5. When you're ready to eat, toast the bread, rub with garlic and float toast in each bowl. (Grate cheese or vegan cheese on top for extra yumminess).

That's it! Yum yum!

Happy weekend, lovelies!
mxo

happy friday!

P.S. It's better to follow your own life purpose poorly, than to do another’s perfectly.
(from the Bhagavad Gita)

move-ember!

A few weeks ago I set these lofty goals for myself.

And then the insanity that was October hit. I made it to 7 classes before promptly proceeding to fall completely off the wagon...

I missed more bootcamps then I attended (sorry Michael!)

I forgot who Jillian was and barely had my tush kicked by my lovely friend, JaneyB.

Then I came down with a bad case of the blues over my dismal state of affairs. Pathetic, really.

And THEN, finally, I said enough! (That was today) Enough acting like a grumpy tart. Enough whining and complaining. Time to get moving!

And thus... Move-ember!

Move-ember will go a little something like this:

I will attend every darn Jock Yoga bootcamp session if it kills me.

I will attend at least one JaneyB class per week.

There will be one fitness wild card per week.

If I do the math correctly (math isn't my strong suit these days), all of that adds up to over 30 classes... so let's make this a 30 in 30 (30 classes in 30 days) challenge for good measure (and necessary wiggle room!)

Want to join me? I dare you! :)

Happy almost Friday!
mxo


P.S. If Move-ember doesn't work out, I suppose I can always try Movember.

Who's a pretty girl?! ;)

surviving the busy times...

This October is proving to be one of the busiest months of my life. Between Thanksgiving (and four gobble gobble dinners!), the massive office move, my morning yoga bootcamp, traveling for work, traveling for pleasure, and one lovely house guest, I'm surprised I'm still standing.

In the past, very busy periods in my life would lead to sickness and anxiety.... more precisely, sickness brought on by anxiety. I spent five years working full time and earning my bachelors degree at night; inevitably, each year I would come down with pneumonia, bronchitis, infections, the flu, etc... and my anxiety would flare up, sometimes beyond what seemed like manageable levels. I would physically and emotionally run myself into the ground.

It looked a little something like this:


But somewhere along the way, I started to learn how to manage extremely busy times so that they don't blow up in my face. I am learning how to manage my anxiety, and keep myself stable.

This is the number one lesson I have learned:

• Embrace the sloth. I am a type A personality - always on the go, always wanting to do more, plan more, achieve more, etc. One of the most important lessons I am continuing to learn is that downtime is just as important as anything else. Just like a car needs to stop occasionally for refueling, so too do we. Lazy Sundays, mental health days, evenings spent watching mindless TV or whatever your sloth-like poison - it's all necessary for our well being.

That being said, sometimes we all find ourselves in busy times beyond our control. Wedding planning, moving, work demands, family situations, etc all creep and need tending to. When I find myself in such situations, as I do now, I try my best to:

• Eat well. Keep to whole, simple foods and absolutely avoid sugar. Make sure your diet is rich in avocados, bananas, broccoli, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, fish (especially salmon), garlic, greens, legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains and yogurt - all foods that supply the minerals that are depleted by stress (calcium, magnesium, and potassium). Avoid sugar, caffeine, sodas, alcohol - all of these wreak havoc on your adrenals and actually bring on nervousness. Let food by thy medicine... that whole thing.
  

• Go to bed early. Sleep is absolutely vital, especially when you're feeling anxious or stressed. Sleep is the simplest and most effective medicine. So set aside the guilt and judgment, and head to bed as early as you can! :)

• Get up early. Yes, sleep is extremely important, but too much can be detrimental. Very rarely do I emerge happy and healthy if I sleep in until 1pm. For those of us who wrestle with anxiety and depression, the line between sleeping in and hiding from the world can easily become blurred. So get up out of bed, shower, enjoy a quiet cup of tea, go to yoga - just get up!

• Do yoga. I know that is seems counterintuitive to add more to your plate when you're already stressed and anxious, but this is one exception I know is absolutely worth it. Leaving aside all of the esoteric spiritual aspects, many asanas (poses) engage the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). Translation: many poses stimulate the organs, glands and hormones that are responsible for rest. Further translation: yoga will make you feel more rested. Magic! I am such a believer in this that I continue to wake up at 5am throughout the madness to heal my body and soul through yoga.
  

That's it. Easy peasy. :)

Okay, one final note: if you find yourself on the brink of meltdown, just know that everyone... and I mean everyone... has been or will at one point be in the same anxious shoes. We all go through it.

A happier, healthier and more rested me...

Happy almost weekend!
mxo

world food day...

There are millions of people around the world who need our help to be happy and healthy. Visit Food Banks Canada to find out how you can get involved.

mxo

giving thanks...

Here are 100 things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving 2011:

1. My husband. He is my best friend, my rock, and the love of my life.
2. My family, with all of their quirks and peculiarities.
3. The plethora of amazing friends in my life. my core. How grateful I am to be surrounded by so many inspiring, amazing people.
4. My cat, Charlie. She's one orange ball of crazy love.
5. My beautiful semi near the park.
6. High park.
7. Yoga.
8. Being able to exercise and practice yoga every single day.
9. Yoga teachers like janey b...
10. and michael decorte...
11. and davian den otter...
12. and jana webb...
    
13. and misha steiner (i miss u!)
14. My job. though i may sometimes complain, i know how lucky i am.
15. Toronto. i live in the greatest city in the world.
16. Summer in toronto.
17. Patios.
18. Autumn. Ontario is especially beautiful with coloured leaves.
    
19. Winter (that's right, i like winter!)
20. Okay, and spring.
21. Thanksgiving...
22. ... and CHRISTMAS!!!
23. Live Food Bar. Organic, vegan, deliciousness. and the owner is a true gem.
    
24. The TTC, especially streetcars.
25. My Blundstones. They are a little like the winter jacket I bought last year - how the heck did I survive without them?!!
26. Blogs!!
27. Music.
28. CBC Radio 2, perfect music for the workday!
    
29. Farmers markets.
30. Big Carrot and Kensington Market.
    
31. David's Tea in Bloor West Village.
32. The Lunchbox and Tea Tree Cafe.
33. Learning, and my endless quest for "useless" information.
34. That I have finally stumbled upon my passion(s).
35. That we are all unique. There are so many amazing people to learn so much from.
    
36. My hair - always exactly the same, and thus, entirely predicable!
37. Ruth's Foods chia goodness.
38. Holy Crap cereal.
39. Sunwarrior protein powder.
    
40. Kale. I adore kale.
41. and goat cheese.
42. Wine!
43. Chocolate!!!
44. The lovely opera singer who hands me my daily metro newspaper.
45. The daily metro crossword. It makes me feel smart.
46. Books!! So many books... about so many things!!
47. Long weekends.
48. Brown rice.
49. That brown rice comes in noodle form!
50. Rice milk lattes.
51. That brown rice comes in milk form!
    
52. El Coco Loco Nicaragua, and all of the inspirational work my brother-in-law and his lovely gf are doing in Nica through Waves of Hope.
53. Clean sheets.
54. Strangers who immediately offer their seats when I dare to board a packed streetcar during rush hour with two giant bags and three massive pies.
55. The new texting service on the TTC.
56. My bicycle. I love my green Frieda even though I neglect her so.
57. Roncesvalles.
58. The Beaches (I'm not hip enough to call it "The Beach").
59. The fact that after living in TO for almost 20 years, I am still discovering amazing new places and neighbourhoods!
60. Change.
61. This weekend's forecast! It's October!
62. Having the right to vote...
63. ... and to choose my life path.
64. Canada. Enough said.
65. Pizza Libretto and Woodlot - oh my!
66. 889 Yonge.
67. energy Xchange.
68. Tula.
69. Iam Yoga, etc etc.
    
70. That half of my grandparents are still alive.
71. Mentors.
72. Having friends to visit all over the world.
73. Free healthcare.
74. Guess jeans. Finally jeans that fit!
75. That the 504 streetcar finally goes to Dundas West.
76. Spirulina.
77. Being Erica.
    
78. Twitter. It took me awhile to get on board, but now I get it.
    
79. Peppermint oil. Perfectly natural pain relief.
80. Lululemon yoga pants. If I could, I would live in these pants.
81. Christmas is only two months away!! I really, really love Christmas.
    
82. Autoshare. Genius invention.
    
83. All of the amazing restaurants in TO.
84. Trains.
85. My washer and dryer. I know, sounds lame, but I really love my new machines.
86. That I can take a bath or shower whenever I want! When you've backpacked through Central America (or anywhere else), this is something you come to value.
87. All of the traveling I have been able to do.
88. That I have climbed mountains and volcanoes, scuba dived and sandboarded, seen ancient Mayan ruins and tasted delicious food around the world.
89. My Polish roots. It took me awhile to accept them when I was a kid, but now I am grateful for my unique Polish quirks. Polska!
90. Pickles.
91. Babcia's pickle soup. OMG.
92. Babcia.
93. Airplanes that bring Babcia to me and me to Babcia. I don't like flying, but I sure am grateful that I can get across the Atlantic in 6 hours.
    
94. My iphone. It keeps me organized and connected.
95. Yoga, yoga, yoga... and kickboxing, spinning, pilates, etc.
    
96. The fact that I absolutely love to exercise.
97. Massages.
98. Apple crumble.
    
99. That if we try hard enough, we can all find at least one thing we are grateful for, even if it's the fact that we're still breathing.
    
100. Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! mxo

gobble gobble...

Oh boy! What a busy week it has been!

My body is humming from all of the magnificent yoga classes, and my tum tum is singing after a week of being on my Joyous Health regimen. I have so much to tell you about, but since I'm oh-so-sleepy, I will have to leave you with a few recipes for now.

It's almost gobble gobble time (translation: THANKSGIVING!!!). September to January is my absolutely favourite time of year, and one of the main reasons is THANKSGIVING!!!

Here are some of my favourite easy peasy recipes which I hope you can incorporate into your gobble gobble plans.


Coconut Sweet Potato Butternut Squash Soup (from my gorgeous friend Amanda)

• 2 large sweet potatoes
  
• 1 butternut squash
• 1 litre veggie or chicken stock (make sure it's low sodium if you're using store bought)
• 2 bay leaves (optional)
• Sea salt
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 tbsp red curry paste
• 2 handfuls spinach, rinsed well
• Pumpkin seeds (optional, for garnish)

1. Peel sweet potatoes and squash. Chop both into one inch cubes.
2. Place cubes in a large pot and cover with 1 litre of stock. Add two bay leaves. Add a small pinch of sea salt.Bring everything to a boil over medium heat, then cover and let simmer for 20 minutes or until cubes are soft.
3. Puree heated stock and cooked cubes with an immersion blender or a normal blender (make sure the glass can withstand the heat). You may need to add some extra water.
4. Pour the pureed mixture back in the pot. Add coconut milk and curry paste. Stir and cook on low for another 10 minutes. Right before serving, throw in spinach.
5. Pour into your finest china, drizzle with maple syrup and garnish with pumpkin seeds and a dash of cayenne (all optional)... oh yes, and enjoy!
   

These lovelies are butternut squashes... yum!

Roasted Cauliflower (from Kind Diet)

• 1 large head of cauliflower
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• Maple syrup for drizzling (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375f.
   
2. Slice cauliflower just like a loaf of bread, keeping the slices about 1/2 to 1 inch think.
   
3. Place slices on a lightly oiled baking sheet, brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
4. Roast for about 15 minutes, until lightly browned and tender. Flip and bake for another 15 minutes.
5. Drizzle with maple syrup, or not, and serve. Simply delicious.
   

Cranberry Sauce (from my momma, and Kind Diet!)

• 4 cups raw cranberries
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• Juice from 1 (or 2, depending on size) orange
• 1/4 cup water

1. Rinse your berries thoroughly.
   
2. Place berries, maple syrup, orange juice and water in a large sauce pan. Bring to a boil over low to medium heat, stirring often.
   
3. When the mixture reaches a boil, cover and reduce heat to low simmer. Cook until berries start to pop, about 1 hour.
   
4. Chill for 1 hour before serving.

Naked Apple Sauce (from Oh She Glows)

• Many, many, many apples (let's say 5lbs, and ideally organic Ontario apples)
• 1/4 cup sugar free apple juice.

1. Cut apples into quarters, removing core (but leave the peel on!)
2. Transfer apples and apple juice into slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours. That's it!
3. Totally optional: add 1 tsp of cinnamon (or more if you like cinnamon).
   
4. Totally optional: blend mixture if you want super smooth yumminess.
5. Totally optional: add some maple syrup... just because, if you haven't noticed, I love my maple syrup!
   

Hopefully that will be enough to get you thinking... :)


And finally, since the point is to give thanks, challenge yourself to list 100 things you are thankful for.


Happy gobble gobble, everyone!
mxo

wise words on a sad day...

kale pesto pasta...

There is something about a chilly autumn evening that makes the heart sing for comfort food. In my case, it was healthy comfort food... and no, that doesn't have to be an oxymoron.

I just made the most delicious kale pumpkin pesto over brown rice spaghetti a la Joyous Health. It was so delicious in fact, that I had to share the recipe with all of you! (Also, it takes 15 minutes to make, most of which is waiting for the pasta to cook! Amazing!)




Ingredients (serves 2):

• 2 large black or green kale leaves, washed and destemmed.
• 2 handfuls of fresh arugula.
• 2 garlic cloves.
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds.
• 2 gluggs of hemp seed oil or extra-virgin olive oil.
• Healthy pinch of sea salt & freshly ground black pepper.

Toss everything into a food processor and blend, blend, blend. Cook a twoonie-sized amount of brown rice pasta, strain and mix in pesto. That's it! I crumbled a little fresh goat cheese on top for extra love. Healthy comfort food!

Enjoy!
mxo

favourite things: books...

A friend recently asked me about the books I've read on nutrition and health, and it got me thinking... it's about time I started sharing some of my favourite things!

Today's topic... books!

books:
From the dozens of books on my selves, here are some happy, healthy favourites:




And a few others...

Nutrition:

• the hormone diet | natasha turner
• the china study | t. colin campbell & thomas m. campbell
• skinny bitch | rory freedman & kim barnouin
• 100 mile diet | alisa smith & j.b. mackinnon
• eating animals | jonathan safran
• you are what you eat | gillian mckeith
• french women don't get fat | mireille guiliano

Cookbooks:

• jamie at home | jamie oliver
• the vegan cook's bible | pat crocker
• juicing for life | cherie calbom & maureen keane

Yoga:

• living yoga | christy turlington
• anatomy of yoga | abigail ellsworth
  

herbs:

• encyclopedia of herbs & their uses | deni brown
  

general wellness:

• in praise of slow | carole honore
• my stroke of insight | jill bolte taylor
• the gifts of imperfection | brene brown
• revive | frank lipman
  
• 29 gifts | cami walker
• quantum wellness | kathy freston
• stumbling upon happiness | daniel gilbert
• a whole new mind | daniel pink
• perfect health | deepak chopra
• everyday greatness | david k. hatch

Future favourite things: films & docs, blogs, experts, supplements, healthy eateries, yoga studios & teachers, etc.... and i'm taking requests!

Happy weekend!
mxo

joyously healthy....

If you know me personally, you probably think I'm one of the healthiest eaters you've come across.

If you know me even more personally, you also probably know that I struggle with my tum tum more than most people.

I'm a cleanser and supplementer - no gluten one month, no dairy the other, perhaps no sugar today, or all raw tomorrow. I take spirulina and put flax seeds in my smoothies. All of this fussing just to solve my seemingly endless stomach woes.

It took me some time to get over the entire, "woe is me, I sure got the raw end of the deal. Why can't I just eat whatever I want and be fine like so many others?!" And then I realized this: food and nutrition are my passion and also part of my purpose. Whatever I learn on my journey to feeling my happiest, healthiest self, I want to share with others. It's only fitting that I first have a test case: me!

I also quickly realized that my aimless and random guessing (based on hundreds of different books I've read, all with slightly different takes) was probably not the smartest approach. At least for me, it wasn't a very effective approach.

So last night I went to see Joy McCarthy, of Joyous Health, and let me tell you folks, I am humming! Joy is an incredible nutritionist who, it became quickly apparent, shares my philosophy about food: real, whole food (without gimmicks or potions) is medicine.

I could go on for days about what I'm going to do and not do after my session with Joy, but instead... for now... I offer up this tidbit:


Listen to your gut, literally and figuratively. Books and blogs are immensely helpful, but nothing can replace what your unique body is telling you it needs. Listen to it, really listen, and connect yourself with those that help you listen even more clearly.


'Nite, mxo


P.S. Okay, one more tip that's fabulous for everyone: start the day with a glass of warm water with juice from half a lemon (no squirt bottle business). So cleansing and detoxifying! I have been doing this for years and I absolutely adore it.

goals...

I have broken a lot of promises to myself recently. They usually involve promising...

... to exercise.

... to go to yoga.

... to spin, swim, box, run, etc.

And somehow I tend not to keep these promises because...

... my schedule is just too stretched.
.. I'm tired.
... it can wait.

But here's the thing about breaking promises, especially those you make to yourself: it feels terrible. Absolutely terrible. And I, for one, do not like feeling terrible.


I could just give up on trying... but I know better. I know that to be my happiest and healthiest, I absolutely must exercise. This is non-negotiable, and I'd venture to say it's the same for you. How you feel is directly proportional to how frequently you move your tush!

I've also come to realize this: fitness aspirations mean little until they are transformed into goals.


what is a goal? lululemon says it best:

A goal is a written statement with a deadline (or “by when”, as we call them here at lululemon). A goal inspires you to do the work. Your goals should excite and even scare you. A goal is not a ‘to do’ list or an idea, what your family/boyfriend/girlfriend/etc. wants for you, or what society states is for you. Goals are to create what does not already exist. Goals are based on a long-term plan that has no constraints. Anything is possible. Whatever you need to achieve your long-term goal (skills, funding, experience, etc.) you can gain with time.

why are goals important?

Quite simply, goals provide focus - they provide the "why", and knowing why can help you endure almost any how. It's knowing why and enduring the how that creates your future. (They are also point numero 97 on my personal manifesto).


So with all of that in mind, I've decided to set some realistic and yet challenging (and fun!) fitness goals. Yippie!


Here goes... (notice the quintessential deadline!):

That's it, for now. Please hold me accountable. :)

mxo

“He who has a why can endure any how.” ~ Nietzche

lovely Sundays...

It's Sunday, one of my favourite days of the week, and today has been absolutely perfect. The sun is shining, it's a lovely 20c outside, and I've been busy puttering away on some of my most adored activities... like:

• Trips to markets to buy whole, real foods for the week.
• Enjoying cups of pumpkin chai tea from David's Tea.
• Responding to emails from lovely friends.
  
• Making kale chips according to the lovely FineTunePilates.
• Cooking rice, beans and lentils, and roasting veggies for yummy lunches.
• Making almond butter chews!! The happy, healthy sweet tooth mission continues!

Almond Butter Chews (adapted from Shape Magazine)

• 1/4 c. chunky all-natural almond butter
• 3 Tbsp. organic brown rice syrup OR raw honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp. cocoa (optional)
  
• 1 tbsp. shredded coconut (optional)
• 1 c. puffed rice cereal
• 1 Tbsp. cacao nibs, chopped chocolate, chopped walnuts, or anything with a crunch (i used Enjoy Life's Crunchy Flax cereal) - perfect!

Line a plate with parchment paper. Stir together almond butter, brown rice syrup/ honey, vanilla and cocoa powder. Microwave on high for 35-45 seconds. Stir; immediately add rice puffs, coconut and cacao nibs/ your crunchy bits. Stir until fully mixed.

Wet hands thoroughly and shape the mixture into golf ball-sized spheres. Press mixture together firmly. Place the balls onto plate and freeze for five minutes. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 7 balls.



Happy Sunday, loverlies!
mxo

ice "cream"...

In my attempt to become healthier, I have somehow managed to develop quite the sweet tooth. Yes, I know, it makes no sense and how it happened, I have no idea... but I'm determined to find happy, healthy ways to satisfy this new development!

Tonight, I am proud to say, I have mastered a super duper easy peasy healthy and delicious ice "cream". Yippie!!

Choco-Banana Nut Ice Creaaaaaaam....

• One frozen banana.
• One teaspoon organic vanilla extract.
• One teaspoon almond butter.
• One to two tablespoons cocoa powder, depending on how chocolately you want it!
• A splash of almond milk for easy blending.

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend, blend, blend! (You can leave out the almond butter and use rice or hemp milk if nuts are an issue.)

The banana + vanilla + almond milk combo serves as an awesome base for any flavour combinations.

Leave out the cocoa powder, double up the vanilla and add some cinnamon, cardamom and tahini, and you have Vanilla Chai!

Or swap the almond butter for peanut, double it up, and you have Peanut Butter Chocolate!

OR throw in some frozen strawberries (or cherries) for a fruity blend!

Let me know what other delicious flavours you can dream up. :)

Enjoy!!

mxo

lately...

I’ll be the first to admit, my dear readers, that it has been awhile. Perhaps too long.

There are many reasons I could use – summer, insanely busy schedule, blah blah and more blah – but the truth is, I wasn’t feeling particularly happy or healthy. And feeling blah left me with very little to say.

But lately I’ve been feeling better. Happier and healthier… and a whole lot more authentic. Lately, I’ve made some changes which seem to be paying off, and I do hope to share them with you soon!

For now, since it’s quite late, I’m leaving you with my favourite new recipe: chocolate hummus!! (That’s right, I said hummus).

To make said yumminess, combine the following in a food processor:

• one can of chickpeas, drained.
• 2 tbsp organic cocoa powder.
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup.
• a splash and dash of almond oil (i used the oil from the top of my almond butter)
• a splash and dash of almond milk
• a splash and dash of water
• the tiniest pinch of sea salt

Blend, blend, blend. You’ll want to change up the amounts to suit your taste buds, but I promise, it’s surprisingly yummy.

‘Nite!

mxo

7am yoga? no problem!

Meet Michael DeCorte. He's the founder of Jock Yoga and my new yoga teacher.

Here's how I met Michael:

A few weeks ago, I was starting to get more and more upset about the fact that my yoga practice was… well, slipping. I'm a certified teacher and I was neither teaching nor practicing (bad!) I decided I needed to do something major to get myself back in the game.

So I signed up for a month-long morning bootcamp with Michael.

The style: Jock Yoga. High intensity vinyasa/ power sequencing that leaves you drenched (despite A/C) and aching all over (when the aches subside though, you're left with awesome muscle definition). It's a killer workout.

The location: Buddha Body Yoga

The time: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 7am. That's right folks, I said 7am.... for the whole of July! (Please also note that I live some 15 subway stops away).

Two weeks later, when the alarm goes off at 5:15, I'm still not sure why I signed up… but as soon as I make it to BBY, I instantly remember. I get my butt kicked for an hour and I leave feeling energetic, alive and accomplished. By 8:30, I am in my cubicle having already done something I love, and having already fed by body and soul. It's amazing - more than I could have asked for when signing up, really.

Don't get me wrong, it's still very hard to get up at 5:15 and I often think about throwing in the towel, but I won't because that feeling of accomplishment (and the toned body!) is well worth cutting off an hour of sleep.

Challenge yourself to an early morning practice - yoga, running, whatever. See how it changes your day. If I can get up at 5:15 three times a week, so can you!

Oh, and try out one of Michael's many classes throughout the city. You won't regret it!

xo

oh my...

P.S. Eat organic!

P.P.S. She is adorable!