Catching Up

 Sheesh! It's been about a month since posting anything, what a crazy yet fabulous summer it has been! One of the highlights was my trip to Guadalajara.

 

 

 

 

 I was able to spend time with some of the most amazing people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, served food in a soup kitchen, saw life in a very humbling way, and was able to lead a fitness class for some pretty awesome ladies.

 

How incredible it was to take time away from hectic day to day tasks and busyness and just take time to be filled with gratitude and appreciation for how beautiful this life really is. My friends in Guadalajara will always hold a special place in my heart!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The kids just wanted to hang out and get some attention, which was easy to give...how cute are they?! It was frustrating not being able to tell them all that I wanted to say because of the language barrier, but we somehow managed to communicate and figure It out. Hugs and smiles are a pretty universal language.

 



How thankful I was that we had a juicer around! The Mexican culture is big on having meals together and take pride in the food they prepare, I can totally appreciate that! However, my digestive system was just not prepared to handle much of the food I ate while there...if you know what I mean. To counter the heavy Mexican food, we made fresh green drinks daily which were some of the freshest and most delicious that I've ever had!

If you ever have the opportunity to travel and experience other cultures, I encourage you to take it! It is so amazing to learn from others and experience completely different lifestyles. Even though we have so much "stuff" in America, the community I visited in Guadalajara had so much more to offer. I can only hope to be as gracious, kind and loving to others as they were toward me.

Thank you Brazos De Amistad!

Vegan Bird Seed Cookies

Don't be fooled by the name, these power "cookies" are not food for the birds! These are hearty and filling, jam packed full of nutrient goodness, and amazingly delicious!

 

 

Last week I took a short trip with my husband up to Alaska. We spent some time in the small town of Palmer. One morning we had breakfast at a fantastic little coffee shop, which to my pleasant surprise had quite a few vegan baked goods! (Vegan options are a little slim pickin's in Alaska)

I kept eyeballing the item simply labeled, "vegan birdseed". The girl in front of me must have seen me looking at this..what seemed to be..a cross between a muffin and a cookie. After she told me she comes as much as she can to the café just to get the Birdseed, I was sold! I ordered a latte to go with my Birdseed, we took a seat for a late morning snack. I'm pretty sure I had a smile on my face the entire time I ate! To be nice, I asked Andy if he wanted a bite, but was relieved when he said no...more for me! There were no ingredients listed so I had no idea what was in it, but I took a mental note of every flavor and texture I noticed with the intention of coming home and re-creating my own ball of nutritious deliciousness. There were obviously chocolate chips and peanut butter, and I assumed that it was made off different seeds...hence the name "Birdseed". I don't think it was gluten free, but my version is! Some experimenting and forming a recipe that was bursting with a ton of whole, pure, real foods...my Birdseed cookies were created! I may even like mine better!

Because it is so perfect as a pre-workout boost, quick snack while out shopping, or even a simple breakfast...the Birdseed will be sold in the Studio so I can keep my ladies fueled and energized!

Vegan-Gluten Free-Dairy Free-Sugar Free-Oil Free-High Fiber-100% Natural

Ingredients: bananas, pitted dates, organic peanut butter, gluten free oats, raw buckwheat, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, organic unsweetened applesauce, vanilla extract, Himalayan pink salt, dried cranberries

Hidden Gem in the Desert

I am in my tennis shoes for hours at a time, almost every day of the week...which really takes a toll on my poor feet. Last night while relaxing at home, my sweet husband was rubbing my feet when he kindly said, "uhh, hey baby...um, you may want to get a pedicure.." Yep, I guess I was a little over due.

So out running errands today, I went by the old shopping center in La Quinta off Hwy 111, where Golden Spoon fro-yo used to be. They did some remodeling and have created a huge, gorgeous nail spa called Nails World. I have made my rounds in this Valley, have probably been to just about every nail place. I've had my favorites, but I am quite certain my experience at Nails World today topped them all! Very clean, very nice, and my pedicure included a scrub and a hot stone massage!

 

If you are in the need of a summertime pedi, check them out! You will not be disappointed!

 

 

Date Garden & Chocolate Milk Shake!

I have lived in the Coachella Valley my whole life...not once had I ever been to the Shield's Date Garden! I probably never felt the need since I was not into dates at all, also going my whole life without trying a date(eeew!) But a few weeks ago on my way home after a long work week, I made an impulse turn into the Shield's parking lot and decided to check it out.

 

If you live in the area and have never been, it's kinda fun to walk around the little shop and they have a beautiful nursery and garden in the back. If you like date shakes you can get them freshly made, apparently they are famous for them! The real highlight of my visit, however, was that I ate a date! May seem very silly..I know..but I really had thought I decided I was never, ever going to try a date. Wanna guess what happened?! It was like I heard harps playing in the background and little hearts were floating over my head. Turns out I don't just like dates, it's safe to say I'm obsessed! With coconut covered dates to be exact. I'm just sayin'...if you have never experienced organic, shredded coconut covered dates...drop everything you are doing and run to the store to get some! They are the perfect solution when you need something sweet, and are a nutrient packed energy booster!

Yep, it's love. How horrible of me to go my whole life judging dates because they aren't the most attractive looking food..but I feel like I've been living next door to the love of my life and never knew it! Ok, enough about my love for dates.

Because they are so sweet and also provide so many health benefits, they are a great substitute for sugar. In the last week I have chopped coconut covered dates and added them to granola, oatmeal and used them as a topping to my coconut ice cream! Here is a quick, easy and super satisfying treat for when you are craving chocolate! (As I am about ready to blend mine right now!)

Date sweetened Chocolate Milk Shake

In a blender add:

 8 ounces almond or coconut milk

1 banana

1 Tbsp cocoa powder

1 Tbsp almond butter

1 tsp vanilla extract, dash of cinnamon

1 or 2 coconut covered dates

a few ice cubes

Blend until smooth!

 All you need is Love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. -Charles Schulz

Lemon Coconut Detox Body Scrub

I absolutely love body products! There are so many things on the market that promise more toned skin, lightened pigmentation, detoxing, etc. But the sad truth is that most store bought items are overly processed and filled with junk to allow the product to have a long shelf life. As a licensed Esthetician, I have access to thousands of super expensive, professional grade skin care products...and even many of those I refuse to put on my client's skin or use on myself because of the outrageous lists of ingredients. Remember that the skin is the largest organ and that anything you out on your skin will get into your system. Do you have a favorite lotion or body wash? Take a look on the back of the bottle and see what makes up the list of ingredients. Do you know what half the ingredients are? Or even how to pronounce them?!

 Why waste your money on products that ultimately end up doing more harm then good...There are so many amazing benefits from natural products that you probably already have right in your home!

Take coconut oil for instance: protects against sun damage and free radicals, prevents brown spots, improves skin tone and texture, and heals dry, cracked skin. All that with just one natural ingredient being put on your skin!

How about lemons: the acid in lemons gently exfoliates and lightens uneven skin tone, calms breakouts and is antiseptic and antifungal and promotes the growth of healthy skin cells.

Essential oils, nuts, fruits, honey, avocados, oats and so much more can do wonders for the health and appearance of your skin!

 

 

 Coconut oil has become one of my skin's best friends. Paired with the aromatic and detoxifying benefits of organic lemons, rosemary essential oil, organic shredded coconut and sea salt- my Detox Body Scrub is a weekly shower essential! Have some fun creating your own body care products!

 

 

 It can be a little time consuming, if you are a busy lady and would rather just purchase a great scrub that is 100% natural and organic, order my Scrub and pick it up in the Inspired Fitness Studio!

 

Eco-friendly Shopping in Style

Today was a fabulous day. It was beautiful outside, I was able to get SO much done, and I got to do some shopping not only to stock up for the week but also in my favorite store!

My shopping tip for the week!
When you purchase your new fabulous items at lululemon, you always get a great shopping bag to hold your things as you go about your day. Don't throw that bag away! It's perfect as a reusable grocery bag! I always have extra bags in the back of my jeep and then just bring them into the grocery store with me. Saving on paper and plastic bags (which is very eco-friendly of you) but also gives you something sturdy to carry all your produce, juice, bread, etc in.
They have a great sale selection right now! Get in and check it out, and maybe even walk out with a new reusable bag!

 

An early morning hike!

Thankful to finally have a morning free, I got up bright and early Thursday and went out with the lovely lululemon "hike club". It's getting hot out there, the desert is so beautiful in the morning...and cooler! So make a point to get in a good hike before 115 degrees rolls around and going outside is the last thing we want to do!    

This was a really cool hike, and I have to say, in my 28 years of living in the Coachella Valley, I had no idea this trail was even there! It starts in the Living Desert, which makes it extra fun because you can go see the animals when you're finished with your hike. It's called the Eisenhower Peak and is an easy hike but you want to plan for it to take about two hours. It is beautiful...bringing you to spots where you can look over the Valley.

If you don't have a buddy you can go hiking with, or just don't know where to go to find a good trail, join the lululemon Hike Club that goes out every Thursday morning!