A LITTLE BLOG POST GOLD FOR YA…

Out of this reflection came the idea for a new series of posts that will feature modern, inspired and incredibly EMPOWERED PEOPLE(or since I’m a fan of shortening everything…E-People) from all over the country and the world. I will interview them, do the dirty work, and dig deep to get all their juicy knowledge, tips and best kept secrets to living a life of integrity, and the ability to be, do AND have it all! These people have rockin’ careers, exciting relationships and are empowered to live the great life each and every day. They are self starters and passionate people who want to share what they know, with you.

Together, we’ll cultivate a community of passionate, energetic, proactive people who are EMPOWERED to impact their life, community and our world in a positive way. That is my hope for this new blog series. Can you get down with that??

One thing I know FOR SURE is that we have a heck of a lot that we can learn from each other. It is my mission to bridge the gap and give you access to the people who have inspired me the most in my life, business, relationships, health and who are having a dang good time along the way!

For my first feature, I had the pleasure and a virtual cup of coffee with an amazing woman in San Francisco who is seriously heating things up this year….in AND outside the kitchen! Read my interview with her below, and watch out for her video recipe at the end of the post for a go-to meal you and your friends will LOVE! I can smell the delicious flavors simmering right out of my computer screen already! (okay, bad joke!) Anyway… I hope you are as inspired by her as I am.

Friends at Create Your Great Life meet Jamie G. Dougherty of JamieLiving.com…

Jamie….meet my friends at Create Your Great Life…

Now that we’re all acquainted, let’s get to the good stuff!

Cheers!
♥D

My Interview with Jamie G. Dougherty:
Wellness Instigator & Cooking Class Diva

DeAnna: Tell us about Jamie Living. Where did the idea for your business come from?
Jamie: I have always been interested in whole, delicious food and the power it has to change our bodies, our minds and our health. I also see so many business women struggling between what to put first, their work or their bodies. They honestly don’t believe they can have both! My business came out of the desire to help women entrepreneurs fall back in love with their bodies and empower them to treat themselves like the rockin’, feminine change-agents that they are. It’s brilliant, life-altering work and I totally dig it!

DeAnna: In your “About” section you talk about the “Old Jamie.” Talk to me about the “evolution of Jamie” and how you show up to the table today?
Jamie: Oh my goodness, the “Old Jamie” was a total bummer! I honestly don’t even recognize the person I used to be. I was actually just like the women I help now. I was a constantly-crazed, emotionally-drained, body-bashing perfectionist who held on way too tight and constantly compared myself and my body to others. It was absolutely exhausting and I had no idea how to change. I felt completely trapped in an awful cycle of self-flagellation. I also believe that I would never succeed in business until I had a PERFECT body, so though I had clients, I was never satisfied and always wanted more.

It wasn’t until I realized that I had the power, the ULTIMATE power and privilege to love my body and create my desired life that I started living the amazing life I have now…complete with a supportive husband, flourishing career, a beautiful business body, and LOTS of dancing.

The most important lesson to come out of all my struggles is the knowledge that it is my right and duty as a brilliant woman to love myself and the beautiful vessel that takes me through this life.

DeAnna: You’re an entrepreneur, speaker, coach, radio guest, cooking class diva, wife and all around wellness instigator. What’s your secret to staying empowered to be, do and have it all?
Jamie: That is a seriously good question! I do have a lot going on and I’ve got a few secrets to staying empowered and having it all without losing my mind. (Though sometimes I still lose my mind and have to lovingly find it again The first is I remind myself that I have a unique gift to share with the world. (As does everyone!) No one else can do what I do which energizes me to keep going, keep sharing, and keep supporting. The second is that life is not a race. Once I discovered my life’s work, I had a lot of anxiety around not doing enough, not getting enough visibility, not helping enough people. What I now know is that all my desires will come true, I just need to relax, breathe and stay focused on the work at hand. I also remember that I CAN have it all, just not all at the same time. And lastly, I am a total sucker for self-care. I exercise, laugh, dance and play every day to remind me that life is about FUN and enjoying every moment we are given.

DeAnna: When it comes to food, your approach is holistic in that you want women to have an educated yet enjoyable experience with every bite. What are the three actions [or mantras] women can take when approaching healthy eating and living in 2012?
Jamie: Good eating is as much about eating healthy food as it is about having a healthy attitude around food. I don’t care how much brown rice and broccoli you eat, if you are emotionally beating yourself up there is no way your body will be able to fully receive the nutrients you are putting in. Here are my three go-to action steps to approach healthy eating in the new year!

1) Ask your body: Often we shove food down our throats that our brain thinks we want but the body actually doesn’t. Before you cram ½ a bagel down your gullet, first put your hand on your belly and ask, “What do you need?” The body will tell you exactly what it is craving and what will be most nourishing that time.

2) Take 3 big breathes before eating: Breathing actually fans the flames of digestion which helps you assimilate the food and eat less and yet rarely do we breathe before and during eating. Breathing also helps up slow down which give our body enough time to recognize fullness. This simple exercise will ensure you eat exactly how much you want, no more, no less.

3) Get REAL: Here is my big New Year’s gift to you. Eat real food! That means no more fat-free cream cheese, low-fat dressings and for heaven sake, stay away from low-carb anything! Any food that’s got fat-free, low-fat, low-carb, sugar-free, low-salt etc. smacked on it has been processed in some way and is therefore not a real food. Organic meat, full fat organic butter (!!!), beans, vegetables, high quality fats, fruit and unprocessed whole grains is the only way to go when eating healthfully this and every year!

DeAnna: It’s January, and often a time that people are getting mindful about healthy living again after holiday indulgences have delectably derailed some of our diets . How do you keep your healthy mindset on track? What’s the go-to meal that is sizzling in your kitchen right now?
Jamie: The holidays can definitely be a tough time especially when we feel guilty over too many holiday cookies. The easiest way to keep your head in the healthy eating game is to remember that good food is not a diet but a lifestyle. Eating well is about choosing to treat yourself with the utmost love and respect so you can feel amazing in and about your body all year long. So you had a few too much wine and cheese? So what! When you start accepting and loving your body for its beauty not only does the guilt go away but so do the cravings for foods that don’t serve it.

As for what’s sizzling in my kitchen, last night I made a chicken and broccoli saute with jasmine rice and tahini sauce that was to die for! I topped it with almonds for a bit of added crunch, which I love! It was rich and filling and hit all my REAL food hot buttons. In fact, here is the recipe. (The original recipe calls for asparagus but since asparagus is currently out of season I opted for broccoli. Just as tasty) Enjoy!!

Asparagus and Chicken Sauté with Tahini Dressing from ami capen on Vimeo.

Before you go, leave a comment below and share with me what you’re taking away from this post? How did Jamie empower you?

I do have to acknowledge myself for the numbers that I just breezed past while reading and realized “Hey! I’m not that girl anymore! Way to go!” I can recognize the areas that I’ve grown and feel proud, and this is another key element of it all. So if you decide to read below, don’t be a self-hater and try to take on all of the advice at once. Acknowledge yourself for the ones you skip and realize that you don’t need any work in that area of your life. It’s okay to pat yourself on the back once in a while. Make sure to be kind to yourself too, you have plenty of time to take on all of the numbers below. Something tells me you’ll know where to start…

XO
♥ D

30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself

Article written by Marc at Marcandangel.com

When you stop chasing the wrong things you give the right things a chance to catch you.

“As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Nothing could be closer to the truth. But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Stop spending time with the wrong people. – Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you. If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot. Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth. And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.
2. Stop running from your problems. – Face them head on. No, it won’t be easy. There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them. We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems. That’s not how we’re made. In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall. Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time. This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.
3. Stop lying to yourself. – You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself. Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves. Read The Road Less Traveled .
4. Stop putting your own needs on the back burner. – The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too. Yes, help others; but help yourself too. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
5. Stop trying to be someone you’re not. – One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you likeeveryone else. Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you. Don’t change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.
6. Stop trying to hold onto the past. – You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.
7. Stop being scared to make a mistake. – Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing. Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success. You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.
8. Stop berating yourself for old mistakes. – We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us. We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future. Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.
9. Stop trying to buy happiness. – Many of the things we desire are expensive. But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.
10. Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness. – If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either. You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else. Read Stumbling on Happiness .
11. Stop being idle. – Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place. Evaluate situations and take decisive action. You cannot change what you refuse to confront. Making progress involves risk. Period! You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.
12. Stop thinking you’re not ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.
13. Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons. – Relationships must be chosen wisely. It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company. There’s no need to rush. If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.
14. Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work. – In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you. But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.
15. Stop trying to compete against everyone else. – Don’t worry about what others doing better than you. Concentrate on beating your own records every day. Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.”

Read the rest 16-30 and full article here: Full Article at marcandangel.com

CREDIT: Full article written by Marc at Marcandangel.com HERE

Photo by Rob Brucker

Alright ya’all it’s that time of year again: HOLIDAY SHOPPING, OH yea!! (If you’re not into my savvy shopper, more materialistic side…then this post isn’t for you. I promise to provide my favorite idea for scoring some good holiday karma points, too. But, boy did I have fun with this one!).

Giving gifts is quite possibly one of my favorite things (in the world!) to do. I just love it! Being able to spoil loved ones with some goodness, cheer and the “perfect” gift that expresses all of your love, appreciation and thoughts – ugh, I just love it! (Can you tell?)

If you’re feeling rushed or hurried this month already, have no fear, below I provide all of my savvy, thoughtful and budget friendly gifts ideas for everyone on your list! Now go draw that bubble bath and start relaxing already, will ya? Okay…read this post first, and then you can do that.

Here goes nothin’…

My Quick-and-Easy-Extra-Thoughtful-Without-Breaking-The-Bank Gift Guide

For the Foodie: Cordless Ice Cream Maker

For the Intellect: Customized Hand Designed Moleskine Notebooks

For the Environmentalist: Reusable Knit Coffee Cozie

For Your Man: Wicked Good Slippers

For the Gamer: Its like Netflix but for Video Games

For The Trendy Dog Lover: Stylish Juicy Couture Pup Leash

Hostess / Co-worker Gift: Thoughtful and Delicious (and Budget-Friendly) Homemade Mason Jars Delights

For the Grab Bag: A Game That is too much fun for words!

An Extra Touch of Inexpensive Fun:
Tie a few scratch off lottery tickets to the outside of wrapped gifts and adorn them with good luck!

A little dose of good karma with your holiday cards this year? Yes, please!:
When it comes to the holidays, aside from all of the shopping, holiday parties, recipes, wrapping, decorating and more, I try to set aside some time to do some good as well. This year, I decided to up my efficiency by ordering these great holiday cards that let you choose your design with proceeds benefiting a paired up charity. I was able to score a design I loved, which donated 100% of proceeds to the American Cancer Society (BOO YAH!)! There’s still time…scroll through many pages of designs until you come across a charity that pulls on your heart strings and a design that is SO YOU. That is called a double dose of karmic goodness, people!

Visit: Cards That Give

Hope this helps add some ease back into your life this season, and remember, it’s the thought that counts! So, try not to stress. Make sure to add in ESSENTIAL “me” time too. Its helpful to stay on routine for healthy eating, regular exercise, ample sleep and valuable self care time. Sticking to these normal activities will help ward off unwanted stress and keep you at ease and enjoying the true gifts of this holiday season.

Happy Holidays!

♥ DeAnna

How are you? How is your holiday season going so far? Have you kicked it off with a bang? Or are you taking a more relaxed approach this year? Mine has been somewhere in the middle.

Over in LA…

Thanksgiving was a food-and-drink-and-dessert-plus-family-and-some-GagaThanksgivingSpecial packed event. We were 14 people this year, which felt like a good size. There was no shortage of conversation, gratitude, red wine, and great memory making. That was our second LA Thanksgiving in a row, and I have to admit, its not half bad.

Like Mother Like Daughter

Always one for activity, we also made time for a great hike that was perfect for connecting with nature, the sun and breaking a much needed post-TG sweat. See pic below from Eaton Canyon in Pasadena, CA.

We did it!

There was also time to eat at two of my favorite spots in Malibu for a beachside lunch at Paradise Cove(pic below) & cozy family style dinner at my families favorite west coast authentic Greek eatery Taverna Tony.

view from our table at lunch

Back in NY…

Post-LA and back in NYC, its been nice to kick off December with some R&R and experiment with my new Breville juicer! I’ve read so much about the benefits of juicing vegetables, fruits and herbs into refreshing vitamin and mineral packed “super-drinks” that I was eager to take self-care up a notch and try it for myself. I was inspired by one of my favorite books for it’s no BS guide to health, Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Diet, that has become my favorite reference guide (I’m thinking of doing a health book review post since I feel like I’ve read them all…stay tuned!)

After a few attempts, and trying for the perfect benefits/taste ratio, I think I’ve got the “Green Juice” recipe down to a science. I imagine my body soaking up all of the yummy healthy nutrients with each refreshing sip, not to mention the powerful alkaline effects it has on your body (look at me go!).

Green Juice Ingredients

After washing ingredients thoroughly, juice all green veggies in a juicer, then add the juice of one lemon (or juice a peeled lemon). Enjoy!

Yum!

Happy December!
♥ D

Off to JFK in a few, and then Los Angeles bound for the week. After FRIENDSgiving with the girls on Monday, and then the addition of my new Breville juicer on Tuesday, now its time for some R&R. I’ve got my ipad loaded with new music, books and movies and I’m looking forward to the 5+ hour plane ride to just decompress.

But first, if there is only ONE post from this blog to read from this year, its this one where I bare my soul; reflect on 2011 which was an amazing year, share some lessons learned and spill the beans on what I’m thankful for you this year.

Expressing your gratitude is not just something to do around the dinner table before you jump fork first into a delicious meal. When you declare your gratitude out loud, your thoughts become real (to yourself and others), thus, igniting your positive energy and allowing you to become a magnet for more of it.

No need to wait for a special occasion, declaring your gratitude is always in style.

Make a gratitude list: Take a few moments to jot down 10 things your grateful for today. Then, share the list with someone and make it real. You might even inspire them to pass the gratitude along too!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Xx
♥ DeAnna

I try to experience gratitude on a daily basis. Bring my mind back from drifting thoughts or that place of “less than” or “not enough” and truly experience gratitude for what I have in this beautiful life. Although, I’m compelled to share that there are definitely moments when life gets busy, my to-do list grows, ideas and dreams turn into a laundry list, and this world feels a little bigger than me. I have to remind myself that my world is as big or as small as I want it to be. And, gratitude seems to be the link bringing me back to center when I feel like there will never be enough (time, energy, money, ideas)… I look around and realize that there already is enough….everything else is just an added bonus. Let me explain…

This year I’m headed out to LA again, to spend the holiday with my family (minus the “wittlest duckling” who is still living it up in Italy study aboard), my boyfriend and his brother. Really looking forward to getting out of the cold NY weather and taking a moment to enjoy some down time with the people I love. When we’re all together, there is truly no place I’d rather be. I’m looking forward to disconnecting from the internet and work for a few days too. Plan to have all ducks in a row before take-off so I can truly give my mind a detox and just enjoy. I also found this great article in the New York Times for some vegetarian thanksgiving recipes that I’m tempted to try too (will obviously let you know how it goes!).

As I reflect on this year I can’t help but to feel grateful, inspired, motivated and appreciative. There was a mix of high points and low points and everything in between. A lot of growth, internal reflection, successes, challenges, shedding of old and the creation of new.

This year was sprinkled with three untimely passings of young people in my life and community who were all vibrant, energetic, amazing people. Lives were cut short; and I’m making peace and reflecting on how it all impacted me. It made me think about how grateful I am to be able to do the simplest things like run, breathe, make choices, and enjoy a sunset. It also served as the 4th year anniversary of my cousin David who passed. It’s a true reminder to me to live out each day and find ways to make the most out of the time we have while truly cherishing those in it. It is also the perspective of how important moments and relationships are. Each day is a new opportunity to impact all of our relationships in a positive way. We can control what we bring to the table. I encourage you to think about your role in the relationships in your life and how today you can do better. I will do the same. Each year, I become more grateful to be able to spend time around my family, supportive friends, and warm positive people who add to my life.

This year was also about shedding excess baggage from years past, and people, items and limiting beliefs that do not support or serve me in anymore. Acknowledging that its okay to do so. This is always difficult to do but can be done with a commitment to staying true to yourself and who and what you choose to let into your life and that same commitment to not settling for anything less. I believe in the laws of physics that two things can not occupy the same space as the same time. This holds true for your mental space, emotional space and living space too. In order to welcome in new and positive opportunities, people, items and thoughts that are in line with your integrity, you must let go of anything that is taking up physical or mental space and energy that is not serving you. You can start in your home, and then when you’re comfortable you can move on to your thoughts, emotions and relationships. This is a great time for bringing gratitude into your life, connecting with yourself, your values, your family and your purpose.

I also had a blast traveling this year (CA, FL, CO, RI and Israel) and taking big leaps in my business (launching E-circle, doing speaking engagements and supporting new and amazing clients). This year was about listening to my heart, my pulse and my passion.

Lastly…I am thankful for the awareness that I have, and the opportunities that lie ahead. I am thankful for the people in my life who support me and encourage me to be better. I am thankful for the stumbling blocks along the way that teach me valuable lessons and open my mind to new possibilities and more perspective. I am thankful for you, who support me, read this blog, welcome my ideas and allow me to join you on your journey too. From the bottom of my heart…thank you!

Wishing you a wonderful thanksgiving, many things big and small to be thankful for, and a delicious meal!

With warmth and gratitude,
Xo
♥ D

Now for a trip down Memory Lane, some of my older posts about gratitude:

May 31, 2011 from my weekend away: “the grass may be greener, but the water bill is also higher.”

April 21, 2011 “the universe rewards gratitude”

Jan 14, 2010: How Much Do You Trust The Universe?

Jan 1, 2010: I’ve got TWO WORDS for you, for the YEAR OF YOUR LIFE!

Dec 2, 2009: Tis’ the season. Tips for keeping your stress level and wallet under wraps this holiday season!

June 2, 2009: My Daily Gratitude Reminder

June 1, 2009: Give GREAT thanks to attract MORE into your life.

May 28, 2009: Spruce things up a bit, will ya?!

Here’s a recipe that I created from ingredients in my cabinets (quick, easy, no store required). Goes over well with guests as a side to your brunch menu (make them half the size) or as the main attraction for you and your hunny.

Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat pancake mix (I like Trader Joe’s brand)
½ cup rolled oats (***my secret weapon)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (or more) ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Your choice add in: fresh blueberries, strawberries, raisins, chocolate, etc.
***You should know that I’m sharing my secret weapon ingredient that makes the pancakes moist and adds that warm oatmeal taste, as well as the added health benefits! I like to refer to is as the “moist maker” like Ross from FRIENDS in the Thanksgiving episode.

Boil ½ cup rolled oats with 1 cup water and pinch of salt, once boiling, simmer for 5 mix. In a bowl, mix 1 cup pancake mix with 1 cup water. Once oatmeal is cooked, add to pancake mix. Combine with vanilla extract and cinnamon to taste.

In a pan on high, drop in 2 tablespoons of mixture to form each pancake. Cook pancakes per usual. Before flipping add in your topping, mine blueberries and cook for 1 min before flipping to cook the other side.

Right before they get the flip

STAY TUNED: Will soon be posting about the #SpiritJunkie event at Deepak’s Homebase this past Friday = INCREDIBLE. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, start with this great interview on Gabrielle Berstein by @nataliemacneil).

Now what to do with the rest of the weekend…??

Xo,
D

The first laugh came when I realized that I’ve never cooked with butternut squash before and didn’t know a thing about where to start with its hard shiny shell. One quick YouTube “How-To” video detour and we were good to go.

Needless to say, the soup came out lite, creamy, fragrant and very flavorful. Not to mention its beautiful Autumn orangey color! I top it with a sprinkle of fresh grated Parmesan cheese and served it with multi-grain and nut toast(that I broiled in the over for 5-10 mins with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of fresh Parm too!).

Cooking is a therapeutic enjoyable activity for me. Amidst my busy schedule and competing priorities, cooking is that time in my day that I can fully engage, and let my mind sort out whatever it’s working through. The best part? Instant gratification of enjoying the fruits of my labor right away. That’s called a small win in my book, and I’ll take it!

Xo
D

Mid-way through the recipe letting all of the flavors simmer together in the pot…

VOILÀ! After puree-ing the mix with my new immersion blender !

Why turn to the junk or calorie packed comfort foods just because it’s cold out? If my goal is to maintain my happy weight through the winter then I shouldn’t let a few snowflakes throw me off course.

I searched through the cabinets and fridge and decided to make this quick and super easy tuna melt. It was so delicious and satisfying yet healthy, I wanted to share. I don’t believe in deprivation and my idea of a happy weight is being able to rock your favorite jeans without the fear of popping out of them. Most of the recipes you’ll see on here are my own personal spin of recipes based on three major factors: health, satisfaction and deliciousness.

Lo and behold…. Cranberry Dijon Tuna Melt!

My Non-Recipe Recipe:
Start with solid white canned tuna in water. Dice up red onion, celery and dried cranberries. Add in a mixture of light mayo or Greek yogurt, spicy brown mustard, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper to taste. Mix it all up, top whole wheat bread with tuna salad and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Stick in the oven on broil until cheese is melted and bread is toasted. Enjoy.

Yum!

Xo,
D

Rewind for a minute, and let me remind you that I’m a total foodie. I love to cook, shop at seasonal farmers markets, read health mags and consider food shopping an enjoyable activity. Its just that, as I tended to be more of a night time eater/snacker, etc, I rarely woke up with food on the brain. And since I’m not completely stuck in my own ways, Im open to small life changes that fuel me for the better.

So now it’s 9am the first day of the antibiotic and I’m panicking because not only do I know that breakfast is the most important day; I also know, from all the women’s health mag’s that it sets the tone for your mood, productivity, eating habits and even happiness throughout the day. Why have I so overlooked this morning essential before? Water under the bride now.

Day by day I aimed for quick-and-easy-yet-satisfying-and-delicious breakfast options and was astonished by how much better I felt, more energy I had, and that my mood stayed stable throughout the day (three huge benefits!)…I’m hooked! As a result, I’ve shifted my meal times around a bit (lunch a little later, dinner a little lighter and nighttime snacking was cut down big time). It never ceases to amaze me how small changes can make a huge impact on your day and life.

What small change can you afford to make??

I’m a firm believer in turning lemons into delicious lemonade. And in this case I was able to turn it into a fulfilling, satisfying and healthy breakfast oatmeal that I can take on the go(recipe and pics below!). Bon appetite!

Xo
D

1/2 cup oats (of your choice)
Cinnamon to taste
Pinch of salt
Vanilla whey protein (optional)
Toppings of your choice (raisins, dried cranberries, walnuts, almonds, apples, banana).