A Few of my Favorite Things...

There are certain brands that, in my opinion, work better for my body during and while teaching yoga. There are certain brands I also just prefer to lounge around the house in, swim, hike and more. Here are a few of my favorite brands ...

I love Teeki for a few reasons. Mainly the fact that they are eco-conscious, using recycled water bottles to make their clothing. They always have the most fun prints and colors, they're super light weight for your 100 degree classes, and dry quickly for those really hot classes. They also have reasonably priced pants. The star power pants above are $72, but you can usually find most of their products around the $60 range, which is far from the average Lululemon price for pants.

Beyond Yoga is great because the quality is durable and always ridiculously soft. I mainly only have their pants because of how soft they are. These are the ultimate lounge pants, so it's a 2 in 1! These pants typically range from $70-$99, these I can definitely stand by and say they are absolutely worth the investment. 

Lululemon is yes, expensive, but the Canadian based line always has plenty to choose from, and cater to every type of workout and yoga class. I especially love my "Big Yoga" mat in black, that is non slip and super thick. Along with my mat carrier for when I travel or need a grab and run to head to the studio. I recommend hitting up their sale racks or outlet locations if you're more on the price conscious side!

I would have to say my favorite usual go to is Alo. Their prices vary, but stand more in the Lululemon, Beyond Yoga range. I tend to mostly buy their brand because it's not too thick since I only teach and attend hot classes. But they are also great for the winter as well with a little more thickness. Their colors they come out for the season are always spot on. And my favorite sports bras are from them, the fit is fantastic in general. This brand I will continue to stand by.

Vegan | Chocolate Cake

Now is this really that surprising? I'm a lover of sweets, what can I say? Let me just start off by saying that this is not your average chocolate cake. Not because it is vegan; free of dairy, the fact that it tastes better then a normal chocolate cake, but because I found it on Free People's blog. As if Free People could not get any better with their flowy, bohemian clothes, but the fact that they provide recipes that you can hide delicious things under?? 

Count me IN.

Chocolate Cake (vegan)

1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup canola oil
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup warm water
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350° and prepare two circular baking pans with cooking spray if you’re making a layer cake. If not, prepare one 8×8 inch square pan.

In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl combine canola oil, vinegar,

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water, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir to combine until smooth. Split the cake batter in half between pans and bake for 23 minutes, or until cooked through. Let cakes cool to room temperature before frosting.

Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting (vegan)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
¼ cup vegan butter, room temperature
½ cup vegan sour cream
2 ½ cups confectioners sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla
Raspberries, for topping

Using a double boiler, or small saucepan over medium heat, melt the chocolate chips and transfer to a stand mixer. Let the chocolate sit to room temperature. Add the butter, sour cream, confectioners sugar and vanilla and stir until the mixture becomes fluffy, forming small peaks. Spread the frosting evenly across the vegan chocolate cake and top with fresh raspberries.

And the results of this delicious, yet fluffy and light cake.

Source: Vegan Chocolate Cake With Sour Cream Frosting | Free People Blog http://blog.freepeople.com/2014/03/vegan-chocolate-cake/#ixzz35a8cUPZh

THE " P O T E N T I A L"

So maybe I've been a little M.I.A with the actually "dating" part of my blog. Part of that reason has been because I have actually been seeing someone pretty darn special. Now we're not exclusive yet, so one thing to always remember when just in the "dating/talking stage" my friends. NEVER put all of your eggs in one basket.

Now I'm not saying, continue to sleep with other people. I may like "Nick" the most, and ideally want things to move to the next level. But I am also not going to be naïve and 100% only keep myself to him until that time, because this is the number one mistake typically women tend to do. If you're seeing someone you really like, the best thing to do is continue to go on dates/meet others. That is because this will keep you distracted from wanting to hear from the most important of them all 24/7 and making the mistake of, A) calling too much and B) creating obscure scenarios in your head of why he/she has not contacted you in hours or days at that.

Keep things light and fun with the "potential" lead. Make sure with the other "sides" you do not give them too much hope of anything actually moving forward. This will only make things A) Potentially more confusing and B) A huge mess. I typically tend to go on one or two dates with someone and no more then that. You do not want to lead them on anymore then that. I assure you that the more you're "distracted" continuing to live your life and not seem as interested as you actually are. The "potential" will come your way eventually. Just give it time.

A few rules to remember once again when juggling multiples but not wanting to risk messing anything up with the "potential"...

1. Do not EVER go home with anyone else other then the potential.
 *This is the number one rule, because you will get nixed if the potential finds out you're sleeping with other people; that is a red flag of betrayal/trust.

2. Do not go on more then 2 dates with another prospect; unless your feelings are growing stronger with them then the potential.

3. I would keep it to yourself that you're seeing others. Unless you think it will work in your favor with the potential... Usually this just backfires, I know this from experience.

4. The three "C's". Always remain calm, cool and collected. For example, if they bail on you after making plans to go on a date. Do not take it personal, something could have actually come up, things happen. They will want to make plans again if you respond as such, "no worries, another time!" and leave it at that.

Girls only:

5. Let the potential do the work. Let them call, text and ask you out first. At least in the first month. You do not want to come off clingy and annoying.

6. Be independent. Not only should you be independent even after becoming "official", but usually nothing more a man loves, is a women who can make her own money and do things on her own.

What Is too long to wait until it is just you and that person exclusively?

That all depends on how long you can play the waiting game and you're ok with it. Just make sure if you're the girl, I highly recommend you do not bring it up until the guy does. They need to be the ones to realize they want to be with you.


Until you're official with someone, go have fun! It is the summer after all and their loss if it does not work out.

Gluten Free | Banana Muffins

One of my many inspirations are the Tone It Up duo. They have great referrals of workout routines that I take to the gym when I'm not at Yoga, and they have delicious recipes as well. One of them being their Gluten Free Banana Muffins... I know what you're thinking, "you must really like banana". Shockingly, I actually do not prefer banana unless it has to do with baking. They have given me horrible stomach pains ever since I decided to complete the General Motors diet last summer. One of the seven days of the program is just eating bananas and drinking milk all day. Although the diet really worked, that was the day my body rejected bananas whole on their own.

On to the good stuff.... I absolutely love my Paleo Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, but if you want something a little less sweet, these are your muffins. Especially because I made them into minis instead of full size. Making them the perfect on the go snack for breakfast or a yummy little treat in the day.

This full recipe can also be found on the Tone It Up website.

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup Almond Flour

1/4 cup Coconut Flour

1/2 cup Quick Oats

1/2 cup Ground Flax Seed

1 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Sea Salt

2 large Bananas, ripe and mashed

1 Egg

2 tbsp Coconut Oil, melted in microwave for 20-25 seconds

1/3 cup  Unsweetened Almond Milk

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

2 tbsp Pure Maple Syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray muffin tray with non-stick spray, grease with coconut oil, or use muffin liners.
In a large-sized mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
Peel and mash ripe bananas with a fork in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Add in egg. Mix until egg is fully incorporated into the banana.
Add in melted coconut oil, almond milk, vanilla, and maple syrup. Mix until combined.
Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.
Mix until fully combined but be careful not to over mix.
Pour batter into muffin holes until about 1/3 full. Fill remaining holes without muffin batter with water to make sure that muffins bake evenly.

Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. The muffins may still feel like they are not cooked fully. Once they cool down, they should firm up.

Let cool in muffin tray for 5 minutes.
Transfer to cooling rack to let cool before eating.

I also dusted a tad bit of cinnamon on top 
Store in an air tight container for up to 5 days.

Yoga in the Mountains

Not only do I love yoga, but I love this girl as well. So much so, that I visited her in Seattle for her birthday. And a weekend it was!

Aaleen Cox, resides in Seattle, and never turns down.

This day in particular we went hiking at Rattlesnake Mountain Trail, and along the way we did some yoga here and there casually on the way up. This was unlike any type of hike I have done in the past. This is definitely a way to try something new in your practice, and that I did. This also tests your balance, strength and brings you a new appreciation to the wilderness. I love facing new challenges, and especially when I have the chance to face them with the people I love most.

Dancer's Pose; Natarajasana (Naht-tahra-jah-sauna)

Crow Pose; Bakasana (Bah-kah-sahna)

Tree Pose; Vrksasana (vrik-SHAHS-anna)

This is just called having fun and embracing life! 

Wheel Pose; Urdhva Dhanurasana (OORD-vah don-your-AHS-anna)
Urdhva- upward
Dhanu- bow

 Then on the way down after all of this success, this happened... It was champ Friday though!

Gluten Free | Raspberry Coconut Cake

Let me start off by saying this was on a TOTAL whim. I was on a baking spree today and thought I should use a remainder of my ingredients and come up with a summer cake for my family brunch tomorrow. Not only is it gluten "sort of guilty" free, but it's fresh and light as well. I have been on a sweet binge lately and this more then satisfied my craving.

Ingredients:

-Raspberries 

-Pinch of sea salt

-1/2 cup almond flour

-1 cup coconut flour

-1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

-1 tsp vanilla

-2 tbs honey

-2 eggs

-1 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk

- 1/2 cup of cold water

*Preheat oven to 400

-Try and use a deep dish cake pan about 12' inches, if possible (otherwise just bake for longer). Spray with nonstick or coconut oil spray prior.

-Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl and in a separate medium bowl, mix the liquids together... Leave raspberries for last

-Slowly mix the liquid into the dry mix

-Chop raspberries with a large blade, but try to leave them in bigger chunks as possible.

-Mix in raspberries slowly with a flat rubber spatula and flip into batter about three or four times

-Flatten the mix in the dish and sprinkle a bit more toasted coconut on top and bake for 20 minutes

-Let sit for about 10 minutes, then sift powdered sugar on top 

Lastly, and most importantly. Pair this cake with a nice glass of red wine and enjoy! 

Paleo | Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Trust me when I say, these (or you may think me) will be your best friend after attempting to make these. Not only do they taste absolutely orgasmic, but you could not even tell they're Paleo... As in, you can tell yourself "but they're healthy right"?

In case you are not aware of Paleo; also known as "caveman" diet. It's a diet that consists of foods that can be fished and hunted, such as seafood and meat, and foods that can be gathered, such as eggs, fruits, herbs, insects, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, spices, and vegetables. Sounds crazy right? I actually practice mainly Paleo, Vegan and Vegetaran dishes in the kitchen. My method is to find dishes in mainly these three categories that you could not tell actually taste that great for you but really are. ESPECIALLY when it comes to sweets, since I am a "cupcake lover".

Moving on to the good stuff... I came across this recipe on Pinterest and haven't looked back since. Even as many looks in "EWW" I have received. After trying these, not one person has not asked me for the recipe. This recipe can be found on Taylor Made's blog and the recipe is as follows...

Ingredients:

2 bananas

*1 cup sunflower seed butter (or other nut butter)< I actually prefer Justin's Almond Butter w/ a hint of honey

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp honey

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tbsp cinnamon

1/2 cup Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (or dark chocolate chips)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Line a muffin tin with paper/silicon liners.

3.  Mix all ingredients except chocolate chips together in a blender/food processor until everything is incorporated.

4. Mix in chocolate chips.

5. Fill cups 3/4 full with batter (you can top them with more chocolate chips if you want!)

6. Bake for 15 minutes.

7. Let cool on wire rack and remove from tin.

8. Let them actually cool before you burn your mouth off. Although, they just could be worth it...

Makes about 12 muffins.

If you plan on making all twelve just for yourself (guilty), these also are great to put in the freezer and for a grab and go breakfast muffin! I also highly suggest making them now.... It is Saturday after all.