Saturday, September 29, 2012

Saturday and Cheesecake ....don`t mind if I do!

I wasn`t sure what should be today`s pumpkin recipe - I do know it contains nuts and couldn`t be shared with the studio, BUT it was room-mate approved and I left a slice for Airlie to try - I definitly needed one more opinion because I`m still not sure what I think of it! It was very cheese-cakey which is good I suppose, but maybe not sweet enough for my taste buds! However, it does grow on ya!


Skinny Pumpkin-Pie Cheesecake - photo ops to Damy Health, where I got this lovely recipe!

 

Skinny Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

Makes: 8 Slices
Ingredients:
  • 1/2 Cup Cashew Butter
  • 1/2 Cup Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree
  • 2 Tbsp Molasses
  • 1 Tbsp Cinnamon
  • 1/2 Tsp Ginger
  • 1/2 Tsp Cloves
  • 1 Tbsp Maple Extract
  • 1/4 Tsp Salt
  • 10 Dates
  • 1 Tbsp Agave
Directions:
  1. Place all above listed ingredients into your food processor. Process until smooth and creamy stopping once to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  2. Place all ingredients in a greased spring-form pan (I didn’t have a spring-form pan so I used a greased 8 inch pie plate – It worked great but was a little tricky to get out).
  3. Place in the freezer covered with cling wrap.
  4. Serve the next day immediately after removing from the freezer.


 
And this is what`s left after it was room-mate approved and shared to Airlie!

I knew Saturday would be busy, so I made this up on Friday, froze it and BAM! I had Saturday`s recipe complete! Brilliant I know!

As for today`s yoga session - interesting to say the least!
We had a fairly full class for K-Dawg`s nooner ...just as we are going into second side of Toppling Tree...Lights started flashing and the fire alarm was going full-tilt! LOUD NOISES!!!! Needless to say it really put the fucks to my toppling tree, we weren`t sure if we were on fire or what .... Hot Yoga brought to a whole new level! haha!
 However, we were asked to leave the hot room and step into the lobby until they got things under control - there was probably 35 sweaty-hot yogis standing in the lobby...interesting to say the least!

We went back in, found our breath and K-Dawg through us right into Dancers, I wouldn't expect anything less from that animal!!  The fire alarm didn`t throw me off as much as I thought it would, honestly I think it gave me the break I needed to continue in my practice. The fire department came by to check things, so the alarm went off a few more times, but somewhere in the midst of all the chaos, I managed to keep my breath and find my own sense of quiet. And strangely enough, even with 2 slight interruptions, I had one of the most emotional classes I have ever had.... who knows? I'm still trying to figure out, and honestly, I should probably just let it go...

JG OUT!


Friday, September 28, 2012

Fun Treats + Friday = Smiling Yogis!

 
Everything Pumpkin...is starting to become quite a challenge, I mean options are endless with what you can do with pumpkin but ingredients are not, and money is tight, so I'm doing what I can with what I got! It`s still alot of fun either way, and the yogis and spa staff seem to be really enjoying it!
I will admit that I`ll be a little relieved once this challenge is over, and I probably won`t touch pumpkin for quite sometime, I`ll need a new fall veggie to fall head over heels for! hmmmm.....
 
These muffins not only look adorable but they tasted fabulous! If you like pumpkin of course...my friend who still eats *gasp* white bread and kraft dinner thinks these muffins are no such thing.... he wasn`t sure what to call them, however for people like myself and my good frie
nds down at the studio - they loved them! Super moist and absolutely delicious!
 
I introduce to you...
Zuchinni-Pumpkin-Carrot muffins
100% delicious, 100% vegan
 
 
 
 
 
 
Friday started out pretty darn good, these delicious little beauties and an amazing Moksha class with Airlie after she returned from her 9 day hiatus! It felt like for-freaking-ever! So great to have her back! I was more than happy to share my pumpkin-y treats with her!
 
And then I got home - to find the flyers and BAM! Pumpkin is on sale... oohhh happy day!!! Cue dancing Jenny! haha! Oh the things that get us excited as we get older.....
 
 
 
 
 
Stay tuned.... we`re only on day 7!
 
JG OUT!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Rain and Chocolate... another great combo!


Day 6 of Everything Pumpkin! This challenge seems to be going by very slow BUT I refuse to wish my days away! So far, I'm loving it- baking and cooking is by far one of my favorite things to do and sharing it with people who make me smile is even better! (especially when they like the treats!)
Today's pumpkin treat is Chocolate Cranberry Protien Squares, and I adapted the recipe from a blog I follow by a girl named Amy Layne who is associated with Damy Health. She has fabulous recipes if you are interested in checking it out! Her recipes are mostly raw, vegan, and gluten free! Gotta love it - clean eating guilt free treats!! My freakin' fave!!!!

Makes about 20 Squares

Ingredients:
  • 1 Cup Plain Pumpkin Puree
  • 1/8 Cup Natural Cocoa
  • 1 scoop protien powder, chocolate (I used whey)
  • 1 scoop protien powder, natural (again, I used whey)
  • 2 Tbsp Agave (you can use honey, too)
  • 3 Packets of Stevia
  • 1/3 Cup of Natural Plain Cashew Butter
  • 1/3 Cup Dried Cranberries
*1 scoop protein powder is usually about a ¼ cup.

Directions:
  1. Blend all ingredients in a bowl with a spoon until smooth. Having your nut butter at room temperature helps this process go faster.
  2. Once smooth add in your 1/3 cup of dried cranberries. Mix until the cranberries are even throughout the batter. I like to add some cranberries to the top just to make it look pretty. Feel free to do the same.
  3. I used an 9x13 baking pan. First I took cling wrap and covered the bottom and sides of the pan. Then I added the batter on top.
  4. Then I took another sheet of cling wrap and covered the batter. This is easy, less messy and I do not have to fight to get the fudge out when I am ready to serve it.
  5. Place in freezer over night.
  6. Remove from freezer and cut into 20 squares. Serve immediately. Keep the cut fudge covered in the freezer until ready to eat. This is a cold treat.


I'd say this is one of my favorite recipes to date, I'm glad I took the time to try it! So good, and it definitely fights the chocolate craving, if you ever get one of those? haha, and if you don't... God Bless!

It's a rainy thursday, and I can't wait to get into that hot room!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

"Fall"ing for Pumpkin

Day 5...holy smokes - this is tougher than I thought! Working 3 jobs, hitting the gym and hot yoga, all while baking up a storm... equals one busy Jenny! I'll admit, its alot of fun - and I love cooking and baking so I shouldn't complain!


I woke up with morning at 5:30, and headed to the 6am Largo class! Cripes - talk about "kickstart the heart!" Anyways, I was home a little after 7, and decided it would be a great time to make myself productive, so productive  I shall be!

First thing in order - Make a huge mess! Check!


 
Next thing in order! I work all day tomorrow and all day Friday, which limits my baking time. However, a couple recipes I have been wanting to try include 24-48 of freezing time so BAM! I whipped up 2 pumpkin-riffic recipes that I can use for tomorrow and Friday (cheating? ...nah, not really! planning ahead I like to say) and Then I had to decide what I could share today. I actually recieved my daily email from HungryGirl and on it was a pumpkin cranberry loaf, I figured it was fate, so that was my choice for today. I'll admit it's not as yummy as yesterdays cookies, but it's still quite tastey! And anything tastes good when you get out of the hot room! ;) So, I'll hope for the best! I would say it's a little more fudgey, than bready... or denser, as one might say! I'm not one that would say that, BUT it may help you understand what I mean!
 
 
So this recipe is adapted from HungryGirl
 

Ingredients:
One 15-oz. can pure pumpkin
1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup all-purpose whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (compliments brand)
1/2 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)
1/4 cup brown sugar (not packed)
1/4 cup Ocean Spray dried cranberries, chopped (whoops, I didn't chop them! dahhhhh well!)
2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine both types of flour, Splenda, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and pumpkin pie spice (in other words, all dry ingredients except for the cranberries).

In a medium bowl, mix together pumpkin, egg substitute, and vanilla extract (all the wet ingredients). Add this mixture to the bowl with the dry ingredients, and stir until just blended.

Slowly sprinkle cranberries into the batter, making sure they don't all stick together, and mix to distribute them.
 

mmm! Clearly, I had to try one to make sure it was edible, and it most certainly is!
 
My computer is covered in flour dust and I got that mess cleaned up! I'm not a fan of clutter, but I love working in a huge mess - somehow it makes me feel like I'm accomplishing much more than I am! haha! We all have little tricks don't we?


I'm currently e-reading a book called "The Happiness Project" it's interesting so far! I'm excited to share some things I have read in it with you all, It might be good for a smile or two :)

Happy Wednesday Pumpkinheads!

Oh yes! This darn song has been in my head all morning ...tis the season I suppose!

Peter Pumpkinhead by The Crash Test Dummies


JG OUT!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Oatmeal and Pumpkin...and Chocolate Chips...oh my!

Day 4.... umm that's it? Day friggin' 4! What did I get myself into!
 
I was up bright and early...ok well it was bright, it may not have been early, but who's counting! I set right to get my baking done before it was time to go to work. I couldn't decide, and I didn't have much time, so I pulled out old faithful (The Happy Herbivore cookbook) and decided on Pumpkin Oatmeal cookies! They are vegan, they are borderline no fat and I added a handful of non-dairy Chocolate Chips...who doesn't love chocolate chips in their cookies? and if you don't...then you should probably get that checked out.... 
 
Anyhoo, here we go! Started off with my handy dandy recipe holder...one of my favorite kitchen accessories - seriousally, brilliant!
 
 
 

Ingredients

  • 6 tbsp canned pure pumpkin
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • ½ cup raw sugar         (I used Splenda because it's all I had on hand)            
  • ½ whole banana, mashed
  • 2 tbsp plant-based milk
  • 1½ cups rolled oats
  • ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • ¼ tbsp pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ cup non-dairy chocolate chips        
  • Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, maple, sugar, banana and non-dairy milk together. In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda and pumpkin pie spice together and then transfer it into the wet mixture. Stir a few times then add raisins. Continue to mix until combined. It may look too dry initially, but keep stroking, it will incorporate perfectly. Drop spoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet and bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until firm to the touch and spring-like.                                        
This recipes says it makes about 10 cookies, I ended up with almost 20!         
 
They'll be around MYC for you yogi's this evening :)
 

Monday, September 24, 2012

Day 3 of Everything Pumpkin!

Day 3!

And guess what - it's a recipe I'm sharing with you!!!

If you're around MYC this evening, they'll be there for the grabs after the 530 class and before the 730!

But first - supper ....

Pizza...minus the dough ;)


Cauliflower pizza crust - don't knock it til you try it!
Then, after baking in the oven for about 12 minutes
Add your toppings
 
Mine included pizza sauce, spices, fresh chopped veggies, topped with Daiya cheese
 
And...it looked like this
 
Delicious!!

Next up  - The Pumpkin Challenge....
Ready??


Ready?!?

Vegan Pumpkin Spice muffins
...the only thing missing is some cream cheese frosting - but hey! I can't do it all...give a girl a break and for those of you wondering.... cream cheese is coming later in the week, so hang tight!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Thinking outside (or perhaps inside) the box!

Sunday yoga... One of my favorite classes, it's the only day of the week I don't have to worry about Largo, or running, or anything but getting to yoga for that matter!

Typical Jenny, shows up at the studio at 11:56 for a noon class, throw myself and my mat in the hot room and find my breath... "Holy balls its hot in here, I'm sweating already? Must be the coffee? Or last nights beverages... Hmmm" ok! Downward dog... Nope it's effing hot in here! We've all suffered through some too-hot classes but I wasn't expecting this humidity in the room during the middle of September, that's for damn sure! It very well may have been the longest 75 minutes of my life in there today, about 15 minutes in, when we were told the speakers for MokshaMusic weren't working... I wanted to literally claw my way out of that room, 20 minutes in, I couldn't breathe and I was fucking angry that I was stuck in this room, anxiety took over when I realized I lost my breath and I didn't want to be here anymore. This puts Jenny in a pure state of rage - one because I'm not focusing on my breath and two because I don't want to be here and three because I shouldn't feel this way. Balancing series - as if! Ego your taking the sidelines today - and child's pose we'll be friends for a bit! For anyone who knows me, surrendering to child's pose is way more of a challenge than actually doing the entire balancing series... So I'll consider doing this as a win. Honestly... For the rest of class I was impatiently waiting for the instructor to say Namaste so I could run like hell out of that room.

Finally! Spinal twist.. Please I beg you, let us lay on our backs for this... Of course not! Sit up straight, cross one leg over and twist! Bru-fuckin-tal!
Awh! But svassanah is close... So close I can picture myself there ... And Go! Phewf! I made it- barely but I made it! I can't even believe the thoughts in my head today and how much I wanted out of that room - more reason to stay in there I suppose?
As for my final resting pose - I didn't run out of the room, I enjoyed 15 peaceful minutes of quiet and rest and finally caught my breathe!
I came out of the room and two folks were talking about how funny it would be if the instructor had thrown in another half dozen flows - I almost threw up! What a sick sense of humour this fellow has, I thought!!

On to day 2 of Everything Pumpkin
I was busy and had a lot of planning to do, and no one to share my goods with so I did another single serving recipe, with a few things I had... And tried something new... And it turned out super yummy!
I dare you to give er a whirl!

I started with 1 cup of pure pumpkin
Added about 3/4 cup of Greek yogurt
Along with some cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice and a swirl of maple syrup - tasted great but it was missing something!
Granola from the Ch'town farmers market!! Mmmm-hmm! Absolute perfection!
Simple, Nutritious, and completes day 2 of my challenge! Tomorrow is going to be awesome - just a little heads up!!

I'm also hard on my addiction of DavidsTea, and I'm so excited its finally here in Charlottetown! MYC fb page said they were sampling tea at the studio on Friday - I was pumped! For my first time in like ever I showed up early for class... Not gonna lie, I was a little disappointed, I was expecting David... Haha just kidding! The tea was great and I was anticipating their opening on Saturday morning where I knew I'd be spending a mild fortune and find a new love called Pumpkin Chai tea - ironically enough it ties in so nicely with my theme!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Countdown to Pumpkin day... day 1


Most normal folk say countdown to Turkey day...

But, I don't really eat meat, so that'd just be silly. I'll countdown to Pumpkin day...or Thanksgiving for that matter ;)

Day 1, as you can see is a Saturday so it was busy and hectic and all of the above.

After a ridiculous intense Largo class, and a stellar kicked-my-ass hot yoga class with the one and only K-Dawg, I came home to venture with pumpkin in the kitchen, I had approximitely 8.5 minutes before I had to leave again, needless to say this won't be a recipe that can be shared with multiple people! haha. None-the-less this is my challenge, and I completed day 1!

Post workout eats -

Starts with this $3.79 beauty!


And forms into this beauty...
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

 
 
So! here we have it - day 1. completely delicious!
 
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
 
1/2 cup of oatmeal made with 2 cups of water
1/2 cup of pure pumpkin
1 pkg of stevia
1/2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice
1tsp of cinnamon
Topped with: A dash of maple syrup and some almonds (I usually use pecans....had none!)
 
 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Y'all ready for this....

(insert dancing man here!)

Fall...I frigging love the fall, and what comes with fall....
cooler days, shorter days, root vegetables, and...PUMPKIN! oh! and of course the new season of Dexter....just sayin'

Anyways, back to Pumpkin! In the anticipation of Thanksgiving, here is my plan, I love cooking, baking, and trying new things in my kitchen, so my newest challenge is 15 days of pumpkin, a countdown to Thanksgiving!...that's right folks, 15 days of everything pumpkin. There has been many recipes I have been wanting to try from some awesome blogs I follow, most of them are vegan, some are not, but all of which will be a healthy option and low calorie, low fat OR *gasp* both! It will more than likely be baked goods....since I'm a sucker for sweets ;) so...be prepared!


However, I can not eat all of this goodness, so I will be sharing with the yoga studio, If you're a yogi at MYC, be sure to check out what pumpkin-y goodness has been whipped up for your tastebuds pleasure, because if you're there on time, you could recieve a little treat!


Hip Hip Hurray - It's Pumpkin time...which I think is kind of like Hammer time?


JG OUT!


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Safety of Silence


It's been a rough week...to say the least.

I do lots of things in my day, like wake up at 530am to go to the gym for a one hour cardio kickboxing class, go to work, answer umpteen emails for another job I do, plus I have to people please 24-effing-7, and complete all of this with a smile on my face and answer to the "how are ya?" with a "good" .... Thank goodness I have yoga, that is all I can say.


That.... That is my safe place.
Usually it's the practice that is my "safe place"... this week it's the hot room, a silent room where I don't have to talk anyone, no one can talk to me, I have no iPhone, I have just myself and my mat. And, I am safe. And, when I am done, if I still don't want to talk I have the comfort of savasana.
One of life's simplest pleasures!

The only judgement, is my own.
Problem: my judgment is harsh, I would never judge ANYONE the way I put judgement on myself.
Solution: Unknown

Monday night, the hot room was packed, I was stuck in the back with the view of only people around me, I couldn't even catch a glimpse in either mirror, it was probably one of my most intense practices I have ever had the pleasure of having. I don't know if it was the energy, if it was my emotions, or if it was a combination....either way, this is why I return to my mat on a daily basis. Tuesday morning - yoga with Airlie, more like "what's going to happen next?!? with Airlie" We did the entire Moskha Series, on and with a block! She always makes you fear the unknown, yet somehow she has a subtle way of teaching you how to embrace the unknown! As for tonight, another 75 minutes of letting go, I feel like I am taking my yoga practice to whole new level this week. I'm not sure if I like it, or if I'm willing to deal with all of this at the moment.... but I'll tell you this, I'm absolutely terrified for tomorrows class, yet I can't wait to get into that hot room.

Tonight, in class, 2 girls in the room were chatting away before class started, I wanted to get off my mat, walk over, and in the nicest way possible say, "excuse me, but can you politely shut the fuck up?" .... that wouldn't be very yogi of me would it?

Wednesday Rant complete!
JG OUT

Thursday, September 13, 2012

The Universe works in mysterious ways

My gym recently started doing 6am classes, 3 mornings a week. Well, good for them but damn this girl loves her sleep AND I don't start work until noon so it seemed like a super silly idea to get up at 5:30 and workout.... BUT! everybody's talkin about this class and blah blah blah, I thought I'd give 'er a whirl. So yesterday, up at 5:30, coffee in hand, off to the gym I go for one hour of intense kickboxing cardio! What a way to start my day, such a relief to know I have already burnt about 400 calories BEFORE breakfast AND that I don't have to wait around and go to the 5:30pm class...this is brilliant! By about 2pm I was a borderline zombie, but that'll pass. So, this morning I set my alarm, thought heck - might as well try this again, and then it went off....oooh no! Nope, I need a couple more minutes, set it for about 3 minutes ahead, jumped back into bed and BAM! it goes off again, Nope, I'm not going, I will sleep in until 8 or so and go for a run or something... Then I was checking facebook and this shows up on my newsfeed...



And it got me thinking, if I want to lose this weight, if I want to change my body, I have never had a slim figure or I have never been 175lbs...well, maybe in grade 5, haha - but who'd remember that? not I! So, If I want to change my body and take it somewhere it has never been... I need to do something I've never done.... Like for example: my cardio workouts at 6am instead of in the evening.

Well, Thank you universe for getting my ass out of bed and to the gym, because now I feel great! hmmm...what's for breakfast?! Later gators!

JG OUT!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Dream on

Abraham Lincoln says
The best way to predict your future is to CREATE IT
And so I am going to try just that....
 
 
 


Or I am going to secretely hope and wish and pray AND repeat night after night..... sshhh!!!!


Lord Shiva says something along the lines that change is in comparrison to death, which is so true, and explains why many of us actually fear change, whether we know it or not. I spent more time listening and breathing today than I did on the physical aspect of my practice, and I will tell you, I was completely exhausted by the end of it, mental practice is much more demanding sometimes than a physical, or it is for me atleast. So I often wonder, if reaching my goal weight, would be such a change in my life for so many reasons, that deep down I actually fear it...sounds silly, but fuck I have thought of this before and after Airlies speal on demons, and death and destruction...I now fear she is right and I need to look fear in the eye and give it a huge FUCK YOU!

Think about it, reaching my goal weight means everything I have been striving for would have been met, no more fight, no more battle, no more obsession....then what...

Monday, September 10, 2012

'Cause baby it's raining on Monday...It's pouring like crazy...

Here's a low-down on my summer....

calories in VS calories out.... calories schmalories!

One might say, I'm very strict with "dieting" ....this summer I decided I would enjoy the odd glass of wine, eat a couple restaurants here and there, whatever, in return I vowed to work-out 3 times a day...which meant Largo/kickboxing every day but Sunday, Hot Yoga, Running, Walking, Biking, Kayaking, whatever it took...I made sure to work my little butt off....however it counter-acted and just wore me out and actually put some pounds on me. I also hang close with my nutritionist, which helps but I'm always so confused, My advice from June to now was ...
Exercise more, eat more, eat less, exercise less, don't eat this, eat more of that, less fat, more carbohydrates, less protien, more protien, drinks shakes 3 times a day, don't drink shakes and ........you get my point! MASS EFFING CONFUSION and yet no further ahead....my nutritionist basically calls me a freak of nature, we can not figure out for the life of us why this weight won't come off, considering how frigging hard I work! Anyhoo, needless to say I got frustrated and decided to go back to the basics, calories in, calories out. I track my calories burned by wearing a heart-rate moniter and I limit my net-calories to 1200 cals a day and I track everything from a baby carrot to a tsp of hummus...I was shocked to see that on some days I burn almost 1400 calories, holy sweet jumpings - that deserves a pizza doesn't it? hahaha! JK - relax! I'm in week 3, meh, it seems to be working a little, but it's really not as easy as calories in calories out....I can tell you that. I eat healthy, so don't ever think I'm stuffing back 250 calories of chocolate and sugar, it's usually kale and egg whites or silver hills sprouted grains bread. Ughk! KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON!
I bring this up, because I just finished my kickboxing class, and the whole time I was absolutely enraged that everyone around me is getting smaller or progressing in their weight-loss goals and then there is me who doesn't change at all, I swear the ppl in my apartment building see me coming/going with my gym bag and think to themselves "what does this girl do at the gym? eat a GD sandwich?" ...one would think!! After being jealous of those around me, I realized jealousy works the opposite of how we want it to, and that I need to just keep trying harder and hoping my body will soon decide to work with me instead of against me. That being said, I am waiting to hear from a plastic surgeon about having the excess skin on my stomach removed, I am waiting for governemt approval and should know by the end of September, since my consultation was the first of August, I am hoping and praying x 1000!!! This would change my life and help me with these body-image issues, I just know it, plus he told me, the only way I am going to rid this, is through surgery, so obviousally I am going to keep working out but how discouraging is it to know that the main thing I hate about my body cannot actually change without an operation.
******So, for you believers out there, I am throwing this out to the universe and if all of you could hope and wish and send positive vibes my way - please do so! I will be forever grateful!******

BRB I'm going to yoga!

Lately, I can't help but think, everytime I am in the my first backward bend, that the cue our teachers have been using lately remind me of jr. high.... the cue being "lift your heart to sky, don't use your lower back, pull your elbows together".... it never fails, every single time, I think how every boy from gr.7 to gr. 9 used to say it to all the girls "I bet you can't touch your elbows behind your back..." That's a safe bet my friend, however, you will get a good glimpse of our puffed out chest as we try! hahaha...ahh the simplicity of it all.

Speaking of simplicity... a hot room, rain pouring outside, a beautiful sunset, and 30+ yogis laying on their mats... pure bliss! Finally a full room, and with the guidance of Brendan, I couldn't help but come out of that studio feeling grateful and almost disappointed about how I let myself get so angry earlier on in my day. I do the best I can do, and that is all I can do right now.

I was talking to my friend, and he said "I should really try getting into yoga again, more so for my mind than anything..." I replied with a long speel about how finding Moskha has completely changed my life for the better, and that it ranges from a physical practice to an emotional practice to being mindful in my day to day life ... then I sent the message, and laughed out loud and couldn't help but think "shit yogis say" ....One thing I never once imagined myself to be... a yogi. And let me tell you, I fucking love every GD second of it!

JG OUT

Pumpkin Fever

 
 
I think pumpkin fever is catching on, I woke up this morning and came out to the kitchen to see my roomie baking...with pumpkin! She was making some of those spiced muffins I made last week.
How delightful :)
 
 
 
 
As for my Pumpkin Challenge, I madeVegan  Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites, and it was so friggin' good that it was unsafe to have in the arms-length!
 
 

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Bites :)

Makes 12-16 Bites

Filling Ingredients:
  • 3/4 Cup Pumpkin Puree
  • 1/2 Cup Cashew Butter
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/4 Tsp Ginger
  • 1/8 Tsp Cloves
  • 3 Packets Stevia
  • 2 Tbsp Agave (Honey, Maple Syrup or Stevia to make this no-sugar) - I used Stevia!
  • Dash of Salt
Crust Ingredients:
  • 1 Cup Shredded Coconut ( I used unsweetened)
  • 1 1/4 Cup Pecans + Extra for Topping
  • 1 Cup Pitted Dates
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
Directions:
  1. Using your small food processor bowl and blade blend all pie filling ingredients until smooth and set aside.
  2. Using your large food processor bowl and blade process all crust ingredients until dough like consistency with visible chunks of nut (setting aside extra pecans for topping).
  3. Grease an 8×8 baking pan or glass dish with a healthy oil.
  4. Press crust mixture evenly into baking dish.
  5. Top with pie filling using a spoon or spatula to make sure the filling is evenly distributed over the crust.
  6. Add extra pecans over the top.
  7. Cover with saran wrap and freeze overnight.
  8. When you’re ready to serve remove from the freezer, cut into squares and serve immediately.
Holy moly these were good! It is definitely one of my new fave's!!


Onto the rest of my day.....
 
 
Sunday, September 30, CIBC's Run for the Cure! This is my first year taking part in the run, I've supported the cause but I've never actually rain it myself. I joined my friend Ashlee's team Island Recruiting, got my attire on, and ran my heart out in the pouring rain! It was cold, it was windy, and boy oh boy - it poured! But yet, I didn't feel it at all, It was so amazing to be running and seeing so many people together for one cause, and to see so much support in one community. Ahh-Mazing!
 
 
 
 
I got some sweet new kicks too! The newest loves of my life :) They were squishy and soaked about 15 minutes into my run, I'm sure it'll be a couple days before I can wear them again, but in the mean time, I'll sit and admire these beauts!
 
 

Thursday, September 6, 2012

The fear of Natarajasana

Dancers Pose aka Natarajasana used to be my all time favorite pose, then I became not really liking it but doing it anyways, then I used to stand in Tadasana and breathe while others did their pose, I just became annoyed with such a pose. But, yesterday in Hot Hatha, not to mention, I wore shorts for my first time to yoga (wtf) and went to the front row in front of the mirrors...scary! SCARY! You have no idea! Class gets started and our focus-pose is Natarajasana....ahhhhhh!!! We did about 45 minutes of hip openers to prepare us for this pose, then we did it, and it felt so good, but NEXT, we were to balance on a block and do the pose. Well! holy! Not only are you about 2-4 inches (depending on your block) taller...you`re balancing on it and going into your deepest depth, unbelievable! How this looked, how this felt... amazing! I am so thankful I took my fear of the mirror and stepped right into it, because I couldn`t have imagined missing seeing this pose in it`s fullest extent. UNREAL!

So, next up, 75 minutes of Yin, oooh sure why not, its raining, I have a change of clothes, alright....

75 minutes of hip openers, well ok not all hip openers but it sure as hell felt like it. My hips were so friggin open that at one point, I burst out laughing and had to hide my face in my knee. They say hip openers bring out emotion, and usually when it does, it means you are letting something go, so something like that makes me happy. However, I`ve always had tears or anger and hatred but today, I had laughter...I felt like that was a huge breakthrough for me, obviousally embarassing, but hey - I covered it up! I wish I could have just broken into hysterics, would have made for an interesting yoga yin class in a silent room! haha!

I was high as a kite after those 2 classes, I was home by 730 and couldn`t even calm myself down til nearly 130am. So much love and gratitude.

I vow to not talk negatively to myself and I vow to think positive thoughts from here on out, even if my shorts look too short, or the mirror is too close, or my belly is too fat, or..or ..or...or...or..or.... DONE!

Time for bed! night all.

JG OUT!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Summer faded into the fall...

Well...here is the kind of person I am...
(As per my last blog posts, in May, during the 7 week pillars of Moksha challenge)
I gave up dairy for 7 days...and managed to consume more dairy products in those 7 days than I did all year.  And...blog for the entire 7 weeks, then we mutually decided to give up the internet, therefore I could not keep up with my blog - yup that's the kind of person I am! I laugh, and move on.

But! A few months ago I went to get my tea leaves read, at the end of it all, she told me to "write, journal, blog...do whatever you need to do to send yourself to the universe because your writing will get you somewhere someday" hmmm...really? Ive been journalling since I was ten, I guess it's time to throw myself out to the universe! If that wasn't enough, I went to get my Tarot Cards read earlie this week and she was insanely accurate and full of amazing information, borderline shocking! Anyhoo, once again this lady says "you need to write, you are a wonderful writer, and your writing is going to help people, you need to blog and let the universe know who you are...eventually you're writing will be a book" umm... wtf? 2 for 2! I should probably listen to these ladies. Its not like they know each other and talked about mutual things they should tell Jenny!

So, just like anything, starting fresh January 1st, starting fresh for spring, or most of all, fading out of the summer and starting fresh into the Fall...well, here I am. Fresh Start, New Perspective, and lots of blogging to do!

Ironically enough, that evening a good friend of mine called me to see if I could help her come up with some healthy snacks and meal ideas because she just doesn't know how, or what she should be looking for in the grocery story. I offered to take her grocery shopping, and that we did, we hit Sobeys, Superstore, and the Bulk Barn...she had tonnes of questions and even a few texts when she got home, but she found lots of healthy ideas, many new products she never knew of and lots of healthier alternatives to her "go to foods". I was so happy to help! I then recieved a text this evening stating "I love this...and I love this...and I really love this and those! and I love you right now!! Thank you!" aww! It feels so good to know I can take a little of my knowledge and help someone live a much healthier lifestyle! So, maybe my writing will help someone? Who knows!

Once again, I'm in a world of stuck/plateaus/and all of the above! I am reaching my goal once and for all, and I am going to work damn hard to get to it! Tarot Card reader says I should have it met in 8 months...so April. But I won't focus on that, I'll just take it day by day and hope my body starts to respond. I am going to take up running this winter - that should be interesting, and you, my friends, are here to hold me to it!

I have so much to say.......eeek! But I got days and days of blogging ahead of me! so Good night all!

JG OUT