Breakfast muffins

This is a great way to have a sweet, yet healthy, treat.

Vegan/Gluten Free Blueberry Muffin

Ingredients:
2 C. Bob's Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
1 C. cornmeal
2 Tbsp. ground flax meal
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 C. cooked quinoa
1/2 C. pure maple syrup
1/2 C. non-dairy milk
1/2 C. unsweetened applesauce
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1/4 C. coconut or olive oil
1 C. fresh organic blueberries

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees, use paper liners or lightly grease muffin pan.  In medium bowl whisk all dry ingredients.  In a separate bowl whisk quinoa and all other wet ingredients, except blueberries.  Add dry mix to wet and combine.  Gently fold in blueberries, using ice cream scooper, fill muffin tins about 3/4 full.  Back 18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Optional, after removing from the oven, sprinkle tops with sugar.


Vegan Sweet Potato Muffin
2 c. unbleached all purpose flour or GF all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. coconut sugar
1/3 c. coconut or olive oil
1/2 c. sweet potato puree
1/4 c. water
1/4. nondairy milk (almond, coconut, soy, etc)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 c. nondairy semisweet chocolate chips or carob chips (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F (325 for convection). Lightly grease muffin pan.  In medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.  In a large bowl beat sugar and oil together, then add sweet potato puree. Stir in water, milk and vanilla. Mix until creamy. Slowly add the flour mixture and chocolate chips if you're using them . Mix until everything is incorporated. If batter is too think, add more milk one tablespoon at a time until right consistency is achieved.

Fill each muffin space 3/4 full with batter (I like to use an ice cream scooper or melon baller, creates less mess). Bake 20-25 minutes, until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow 15-20 minutes to cool.

Yoga, one size fits all?

Yes, yoga is definitely for everyone, but yoga is definitely not a one size fits all practice.  Yoga can be done by children, seniors, in chairs or in bed, for 90 minutes or for ten minutes.  One pose can be done by five different people, in five different ways.  Modifications or variations for poses are always readily available for everyone.  What works for one person, may not work for the person standing next to them and the best part about it is, it's okay to do things in different ways!  Yoga needs to be tailored to your individual body, your individual needs and how you feel that particular day.  There are days when I can stand in tree pose for a minute and then there are days that 20 second is where I am at for that day.  Listening to your body is key to having a lasting, healthy practice.

Whether waiting in the grocery line, surfing the web, or watching TV, you will see headlines regarding yoga.  Most of the time, the articles and stories discuss the wonderful benefits of yoga for everyone.  Yoga can be done by people of all ages, all sizes and helps with more than just the physical aspect.  For those that suffer from challenges such as, diabetes, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, ADHD, etc., yoga can have long range and extremely meaningful results that can help to reverse or reduce physical, mental or emotional challenges.  Of course, with any form of physical movements, consulting your physician first is a must.  Also letting your yoga instructor know of any limitations, illness or injuries is vitally important to be able to truly enjoy all that yoga has to offer.

There are a lot of stereotypes regarding yoga.  Often people think that in order to practice yoga you need to be flexible.  This could not be further from the truth.  Yes, yoga can help to enhance flexibility, but again, each person is different and each day is different.  Flexibility, body shape, strength or balance do not have to be regarded as obstacles, rather as a goal to work towards.  Practicing yoga daily, even just 10 minutes a day, will give amazing results.  Of course, when beginning to feel better about your appearance or abilities, it's natural to begin to have a more positive outlook and interact with others in a more positive light.  Can yoga actually cause happiness?  You be the judge.

Oh Sweet Valentine!

Cupcakes to make your Valentine's Day oh so yummy.  You can decorate with whatever festive decorations you want or you can add a few drops of beet juice to naturally dye the frosting pink.

Both the cupcakes and frosting are from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World (I highly suggest you get the book, there are just so many good recipes).   The thing I changed was I took the middle out and filled them with frosting.

Your Basic Chocolate Cupcake (modified ingredients)
Ingredients:
1 C         plain organic soy milk or any nondairy milk of choice
1 tsp       apple cider vinegar
3/4 C      coconut sugar
1/3 C      coconut oil
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 C         Bob's Redmill All-purpose GF flour
2 Tbsp   ground flax meal
1/3 C     cocoa powder
3/4 tsp    baking soda
1/2 tsp    baking powder (best to use aluminum free)
1/4 tsp    salt

Preheat oven to 350, line muffin pan with cupcake papers.
Whisk soy milk and vinegar together and set aside.  In a separate bowl add sugar, oil, vanilla and whisk together.  After milk and vinegar has set a few minutes, add to sugar mixture, beat until foamy.  In a separate bowl sift all dry ingredients.  Add dry mixture to wet and beat until no large lumps remain.  Fill muffin pan three quarters full.  Bake 18 - 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Allow to cool completely before removing middle and frosting.

Vegan Fluffy Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
1/2 C     nonhydrogenated shortening (Spectrum makes a good one)
1/2 C     nonhydrogenated margarine (Earth Balance is a good one)
3 1/2 C  confectioner's sugar or for a healthier version make your own with dry sweetner of choice (i.e. coconut sugar, xylitol)
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 C     plain organic soy milk

Beat shortening and margarine until fluffy.  Add sugar and beat for a few more minutes.  Add vanilla and milk and beat another 5-7 minutes (you may need to scrap down the sides in the middle of mixing).

Fill frosting bag or ziplock bag and fill cupcakes and then frost tops.  Add whatever decorations you like.

Connectedness

We are all connected in some way whether we choose to realize it or not.  Everything we do and say has an impact on someone or something.  It may be the slightest thing, we may not even realize it.  The way you interact with others may truly change how the remainder of their day goes.  Because of this, each and every one of us is responsible to ensure we make a positive interaction.  An interaction that is positive has the potential to send waves of more positive actions throughout the day.  You will not even realize how many people you affected through your initial encounter.  For instance, if you are thoughtful and kind, expressing care in your thoughts and actions to the person beside you at the grocery store, that person will then carry that positive connection with them and be thoughtful and kind to the next person they encounter.  Like domino's, it will keep passing on and on throughout the day.  As you can see, you will not even know all the wonderful people you have touched that day.