Breaking through Fear

Hey guys so this has been a very intense time for me as I work to reshape my life from a 9-5 job to a job that allows me to share my love with the arts with others. Sadly I have been learning the hard way that you can't man handle the universe to let you do what YOU want. I had clear visions of what I was going to do and no one could sway me.

I have found out many times over this doesn't work yet cause I am me I still try and then wonder why I run into walls or dissatisfaction? Sometimes your path or creative soul have a mind of their own and if you let go of your ego and fear, you will be delighted what amazing opportunities and joys you are invited to be a part of.

So as you can image this has been a stressful time and fear has been so prominent for me! I mean I'm having zombie apocalypse dreams again!!! Ugh: So I figured we would look and fear together this week.

Fear of the unknown 

It is easier to stay where you know, then where everything is new and unfamiliar. 

The unknown is scary and to stay in the unknown even though you hate it, is even worse.

As I told my family this week when asked how I was doing:

"I'm learning to have faith and it sucks".

I have always looked for some quick fix a system that would give me answers, take away my fear of the unknown of what I could be.  But I am realizing it is not the fear I have been dealing with, but all the mess and walls I have surrounded my fear with. I wasn't looking for a fix for my fear, but a way around my fear: a shot of happiness without the work of dealing with what I did not know and what I could be.  

Faith is a big leap to put yourself out to the world and pray you make it to the other side.

But this is what can ride you through the dark fog of the unknown. Just let go of your fear and walk in light forward.

I'm not saying it's an easy jump, the wind is strong, edges sharp can cut you and sometimes you can't see anyone on the other side. But I have found when I put my soul out to the universe and take the leap things do work out. Just often, not how I thought but they would.

When asked how to get rid of fear in a Q and A session, Yogi Bhajan responded with this:

A: Take that pen. Raise it. Drop it. That’s how. When you drop something, just drop it. There is no other way. Don’t listen to the lies of people. No kriya can help you drop it. Only you can. Just drop it.

*just a side note for those not familiar with what a Kriya is: 

The word kriya means action. It is an action that leads to a complete manifestation like a seed leads to a bloom, a thought into actuality, a desire to commitment.

In Kundalini Yoga a kriya is a series of postures, breath, and sound that work toward a specific outcome. Practicing a kriyainitiates a sequence of physical and mental changes that affect the body, mind, and spirit simultaneously. There are kriyas that support the liver, balance the glandular system, make you radiant, stimulate the pituitary, increase the flexibility of the spine, and many more. Each kriya has a different effect, but all work on all levels of your being. 

-Taken from the 3ho.org website

So take that leap, take a deep breath and jump! 

You'll be amazed and what you'll find on the other side.

Maybe you are called to start a book club in your neighborhood, knitting group at your church,  build homes, help people in third world countries, work with local charities, raise a family, make art. They are all wonderful journeys, so get out there! Have some faith  and you'd might be surprised where you end up! 

This week we have a meditation for courage from belief.net with music by:

 Nirinjan Kaur from her From Within Album 

The matra Adi Shakti:

Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Namo Namo

(I bow to the Primal Power)

Sarb Shakti, Sarb Shakti, Sarb Shakti, Namo Namo

(I bow to the all encompassing Power and Energy)

Pritham Bhagvati, Pritham Bhagvati, Pritham Bhagvati, Namo Namo

(I bow to that which God creates)

Kundalini Mata Shakti, Mata Shakti, Namo Namo

(I bow to the creative power of the Kundalini, the Divine Mother Power)

For me this is the hardest part. Letting go and giving up your will to control, but instead allow the divine around you to flow through.
I wear a bracelet I made to remind me of this:

I love my mediation jewelry ;P

Also as an added bonus, I have included 10 min Kundalini Kryia for building courage:

Love to you all this week <3 Stay tuned for more mid week yummies to nourish your belly as well as your soul!!
Jenn

Bacon Jalapeño deviled eggs

Hey guys! 
So being away from home has been interesting. I had lots of fun and got to relax but I am definitely missing home now. There is something about knowing where everything is and a routine that makes me feel happy, even if there is many big unknowns I'm coming home to. 
The job search is ever long but I have been trying to put it up for the universe, which to anyone knows be is a huge task: I mean, I schedule and micro manage anything I can. So, there has been a lot of praying, singing mantra and of course eating!!!!

Cooking for others makes me happy, so I have been trying to cook when I can out in Southern California. Luckily my Step-mother is gluten free and big into the alternative/ natural foods scene so there are even coconut aminos here!!!

BIG WIN!!! 

So since I was really craving deviled eggs I decided to make some Paleo style for my west coast family. :) 
So I found this recipe by the Civilized Caveman and went to town. Now I am not a big spice fan but my family out here is so I modified this recipe a little. 

                 

Makes 8 deviled eggs (which sometime only serves 1-2 in my family)

Ingredients:
4 eggs (hard boiled) 
1/2 an avocado
2 tbsp liquid bacon fat (add 1/2 TBSP more as you like for taste)
3 drops of liquid Jalapeño hot sauce 
1/4 of a Jalapeño diced

1/4 of a lime squeezed 3 strips of crispy cooked bacon
1 tsp salt 
paprika for top dusting

Instructions:

1.  Hard boil your eggs and then allow them to cool
2. While your eggs are cooling, cook up your bacon and when done, chop it with your jalapeño
3. When your eggs are cooled, cut them in half length wise, and gently pop out the yolk into a bowl.
4. In your bowl add the avocado, bacon, jalapeño, bacon fat, salt and hot sauce  
5. Now use all that anger and mix everything together, making sure to squish the avocado and blending it all in *you can use a blender for this part but I enjoy the mixing by hand
6. When everything is combind, using a spoon, fill your egg centers with your avocado mixture
7. Dust with Paprika and enjoy!

Las Vegas and Love

Hey Guys so podcast 3 yeah!!!!

And not to mention that but now you can find the podcasts on iTunes!!!! Whaha….. Or you should be able to. It has been an interesting battle. Let me know if you guys can find me :)

So on to the podcast!

Vegas: 

Most of my time was spent at Viva Las Vegas preparing and then walking for MayMac Design studio. It was a blast, the hair/ makeup team were amazing and not to mention I made some awesome fun memories with the other ladies who walked:

So if you are curious this is the company Red Apple Lipstick I was talking about here it is:

Click to get to their website!!

GO CHECK THEM OUT!!!!! They have the nicest founder and CEO, who I have personally talked when i've had questions. Not to mention a large selection of colors for lips and eyes.

~

Here are the lip glosses I am talking about that are so yummy and affordable!

And yes I am getting the new Honey Badger Formula next, I have the Cabernet Kiss and Hot mess and love them.

Each Sells for $18.50 and it really lasts (I've had my bottle for over 6 months).

Mint2Be

~~~~~

So my loves, here are images of the quotes this week.
As well as links to the music for this week.

Continuing with the theme of love/self-love this week here are the images to go with the quotes:

  

~~~~~~~

This week we heard from "Beautiful" by Sarah Brightman

you can find it on most digital retailers but here is the link to Amazon

Thanks again guys have a great week!

<3 Jenn

Some times you just want a little sweet treat

Well Since I finished the post already once, published it and even shared it with ya'll and then poof it disappeared. No trace of it anywhere... *enter twightlight zone music* here goes take two :<

Hey Guys!
So this week I was really craving something sweet and with all the posts up and about for easter I knew I just had to try something.
When searching the different recipes out there though I notices there was a a bit more sugar than I wanted, but what was I going to do?

Enter Coconut Sugar!!

Now as there is a debate on Coconut sugar  and weither or not you should use it.

 The arguments against it can be seen here

Argument for it's use here

Personally I like using it, but use it sparingly, making my 16oz bag last for over 6 months so far.

So what on earth was I going to make this weekend for that bit of sweet, with out dosing my body with soy, gluten, dairy, large amounts of cane sugar and preservatives ???

And then I saw it: Paleo Peanut Butter Eggs :) My guy of 4 years now adores Reese's Peanut Butter everything and I have been on a mission to find him healthier/ paleo alternatives for what he eats. It can be hard sometimes as he says "hun I love you, but some times I can't trust you when you say something tastes good. You just don't taste things like normal people" but I have a pretty good batting average per say. The times he says "wow this is good for me??? It can't be it taste to good" are climbing up and out weighing the "hun thats just too weird". 

Being a professional mover and living with four other 20 something year old men the things that I find at that house amaze me. Boxes and Boxes of Jack and ramen are just to name a few ;) So I took this as a challenge. I would take one of my old favorites and present him with my first attempt at a paleo sweet treat!. 

I am please to say it has more than passed my Man's test. Even receiving the coveted "Oh my god this tastes better than Reese's!" 

So here it is:

                    

Peanut Butter Chocolate Delights

Ingredients: 

Peanut Butter Insides

1 Cup no sugar added Creamy Peanut butter

1 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp coconut sugar

2 tbsp coconut flour

Chocolate Coating/ Drizzle

1 Cup Enjoy life Chocolate Chips

2 Tsp Coconut oil

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, coconut sugar, honey, and coconut flour.
2. Mix on low until all of the batter is combined. 
3. Use your hands or scoop out with a spoon, the batter into the shapes you wish. *Eggs, balls or you can make peanut butter cups by first lining your mold with a thin layer of chocolate, freeze it briefly and then place a small center piece of chocolate.
4. Place the peanut butter shapes on a plate lined with parchment paper.
5. Place the peanut butter in the freezer for a min or so, to allow for the centers to set
6. While the centers are setting, melt your chips and coconut oil in a double boiler.
7. When the chocolate is melted, dip your peanut butter centers in and then place back on your pate and into the freezer. * if you are making the cups gently pour the melted chocolate to completely cover the peanut butter center  
8. Leave your eggs in the freezer for 15-20 min to allow them to completely freeze. 

If you want a lower sugar treat, instead of completely covering your eggs instead drizzle them.

There you go! I hope you love them as much as my entire family does.

<3 Jenn

All you need is love ... and ice cream... and maybe not to smell hahaha

Yeah Episode Two is finished!!!!

~~~~

So if you are curious about some of the things I talked about this week here is where you can find them all.

Turns out the Spunky coconut is re-releasing her dairy free ice cream book this June YEAH!!!! new book, boo you can't get the old version anymore.

but your can follow her here.

So here is the recipe for the strawberry ice cream :) and make sure to check her out for yummy other items like chai, apple spice and rocky road ice cream.

In a blender add:

2 cups strawberries

1 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk

1 cup cashew milk or hemp milk

1/2 cup honey or raw agave

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp guar gum

Puree until creamy and smooth

Freeze for an hour or refrigerate till cold. Pour into ice cream machine and follow the manufacturers instructions.

~~

If you are curious about the paleo/ natural deodorant paste you can buy it pre-made here.

or you can make it on your own:

3 tbsp Coconut oil

3 tbsp Baking Soda

2 tbsp Shea Butter

2 tbsp Arrow root (optional)

Essential oils (optional)

Bring a pot of water to boil. 

Combine the Coconut oil and Shea butter in a mason jar and place it in the boiling water, allowing it to melt.

Remove from the heat and add your baking soda and arrow root, mixing well.

Add your essential oils and allow to cool. 

(I dish mine out into little jars for easier use)

~~

Love yourself

The guided meditation was taken from Yoga-Paws' Self-Love Meditation and music we listened to was Bliss by Darshan Singh and The Kirtan Caravan, Sirgun Kaur

You can find it on itunes or here

And last but not least here is the full Mantra that they sing:

I am bountiful, blissful, and beautiful.

Bountiful, blissful and beautiful I am.

Ek ong kar sat gur prasad

Anand bhayaa mayree maa-ay satiguroo mai paa-yaa

Satiguroo ta paa-yaa sehej saytee

Man vajeeaa vaadhaaeeaa

Raag ratan parvaar pareeaa shad gaavan aaeeaa

Shabdo taa gaavho haree kayraa man jinee vasaa-yaa

Kahai naanak anand hoaa satiguroo mai paa-yaa.

The Translation:

The Creator and the Creation are One.

I kow this by the Grace of the Guru.

Oh my mother, I am in Infinite bliss for I have obtained the

True Guru (the Word, the Shabad Guru)

I have met that True Guru easily, naturally

Divine music bursts in my heart.

The rhythmic beast are like cosmic jewels

and bring all powers through Divine Songs.

When God resides in you, the mind is filled by

and echoes with divine praise.

Nanak proclaimes I dwell in supreme bliss

for I have merged with the True Guru.

Have a great week ya'll <3 Jenn

Morning Breakfast Casserole

Hey guys!!
I know look at me being all motivated and writing a double post again! Maybe this will be a tradition now? who knows ;)

So life in my house is crazy and normally we are lucky to be able to just grab something to go, if we eat at all. Yeah not so good. Because normally that yield starving moments, the crazy hungry monster and then panic at trying to find something anything that is at least not going to kill you and if your lucky is somewhat paleo friendly. So that means when I can I try to cook easy to grab food ahead of time. It makes it easy to deal out the morning of or night before and run out the door. So this past weekend, I found this great recipe from Spicey Paleo and just had to try it!!! But its me and I like extra flavor and veggies, so I did a few modification. It is a great way to have a full breakfast ready without the cooking and I am always short on time so Crockpots are my friend. 

Note:

I use a quart and a half crockpot to make smaller portions, but you can double everything if you want a larger portion.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 lb sweet sausage innards and 1/4 lb hot sausage innards (you can by the one with the casings just make sure to remove them be cooking) 
• 1/2 purple onion diced
• 3 mushrooms diced
• 1/2 green pepper diced
• 6 eggs
• 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup precooked frozen mashed pumpkin/ or canned pumpkin
• 1 1/2 handfuls of Diaya pepperjack cheese (optional it does have pea protein so depending on your view on paleo may not be acceptable)
• oil for greasing the crockpot (optional)

Directions:

1. In a skillet, start to cook the sausage.  Meanwhile, dice the onion, mushroom and pepper.
2. Once the sausage begins to brown, add the veggies, cooking just until the onion is soft (it doesn't have to finish cooking as you will be finishing it in the crock pot)
   
3. Mix the eggs, milk and a T of your cheese and set it aside.
4. Thaw out your pumpkin unless you are using canned
   
5. Layer your pumpkin, sausage/veggie mixture, and top off with the  egg mixture.  Stir making sure the egg has spread throughout the other layers.
   
6. Top with remaining cheese
   
7. Turn crock pot on low for 8-10 hours 

Enjoy!

First Podcast!! Woot.

Click to listen to our FIRST podcast!!!!!

Hey guys so in the podcast I know there is a lot of back story about me and such but I figured this is an introduction to me and where I am coming from. So now you know or at least know a little bit more. 

In the podcast the meditation I share at the end is the Wahe Guru Wahe Jio mantra:

   Wahe Guru       Great Beyond Description is the experience of God’s Wisdom... 
     Wahe Guru       Great Beyond Description is the experience of God’s Wisdom... 
     Wahe Guru       Great Beyond Description is the experience of God’s Wisdom… 
     Wahe Jio         Great Beyond Description is the experience of God Blessing the Soul.

So there are a lot of great websites if you are curious about this mantra and or Kundalini.

The site I took this from is: http://www.sahej.com/Sadhana_Mantras.html

Also the go to site I use for anything kundalini is www.3ho.org. 

At first everything can be a bit over whelming on the site, but if are looking for a full listing of information, this place is where to go. 

The song playing during this weeks meditation is:

Laya Yoga Chant (Makyo's Tantric Dub) by Sat Kartar

from the 

Kundalini Remix: Yoga Mantras Revisited Album

You can purchase the album here.  

And make sure if you enjoyed the music please go support the artist. :)

That's all for now loves. 

<3 Jenna

Spring is almost here!! You know what that means... Gardens!!!

So as I've had a bit of down time today I figured I write a baby blog entry. I know, I know I said I wouldn't be writing but it is gorgeous outside so I figured why not??
The next question you maybe asking yourself then is "well what has inspired you so?" and the answer my friends is SPRING!!!!
Yes, that season we thought might never come back here in cold New England is popping it's head up and giving us a shy wave. I make it a habit to walk my dog around 6am (as I have found my body functions best with a 5:30am -8:30pm schedule) and I have been delighted to be greeted by the chirping of birds and the budding of my crocuses and daffodils.
Ahhh yes finally the birds, flowers, temperature above 30 degrees means one thing!!!

It's time to get back to the garden!!!!

Yep, I love my garden it starts so empty every year and I spend a few hours pulling out dead plants and turning dirty to get a nice blank canvas:

And then the magic begins to happen :) The babies begin to grow! Yep if you have a garden you know what I  mean: these little plants who feed you become your children. I may take that a step too far sometimes and sing and play music for them while I am weeding, but hey if I like music why wouldn't they. Plus they did do a study that plans respond positively to classical music, so I figure my new age music will be a favorite of theirs. 

Now I'm not going to lie and say I am out there every week tending and watering my garden. I have a community plot so have to drive out to it, so life gets  in the way. But for me just having that garden there can be the escape from the crazy around me I need. 

Seeing sites like butterflies, birds flowers swaying gently in the breeze are some of the most relaxing things that are FREE!! Yep I'm a poor muscian and am always trying to find ways to not to make my already small bank account any smaller. And hey 20 min out in a garden is free and just as stress re-leaving as going to the gym or yoga studio for me, so hey why not save the few bucks, get some food for the week and take a few deep breaths. 

Now for those of you who are like "hey but I don't have a garden and don't even know where to start", I feel you. I was there and still get overwhelmed sometimes and I've been gardening for a few years now. Start small. You can plant some herbs and go outside and take walks or see if you can find any open Community Gardens: in Boston many of the towns have them you just have to look.

They the next step is what do I plant and when?

I have a small medium raised plot and can normally get a full spring to fall rotation of different veggies and herbs going. I have a few basic regulars such as lettuce, tomatoes, spinach and herbs such as basil, thyme and lavender that are always some where in my plot. I tend to plant mid april my hardier plants such as the herbs, broccoli and leafy greens and then into may the family of tomato plants.

If you want a more "specific" (i use quotes as even the expects have to guess to a certain extend when it comes to weather and planting) you can look to the almanacs or local gardening predicting sites around now. Currently my sites are saying last frost (which is the big date for gardeners) is going to be April 11th.  So it's time to go into full planning mode.

Now one of the veggie that is always a staple in my garden is Kale. I love kale and have found it is one of the healthiest and hearties plants I can have in my garden. It has always survived the Boston summers, cold snaps in spring and fall and lets not forget having me as a mom. So you know its a hearty little bugger. 

Kale is so great for you. It's a great source of Vitamin A, C and K, not to mention a slew of other minerals. Now if you are new to kale and can't imagine having to eat this queen of greens don't worry you can start small and work the kale into your diet slowly ;)

My favorite summer dish is sauteed kale with bacon, onions and what ever other veggies and or fish I have around with scrambled eggs. It's Paleo, healthy and wicked fast and easy.

Easy Egg Scramble:

3 leaves of kale chopped

1-2 pieces of bacon chopped up

1/4 of a tomato diced

1/2 a carrot thinly sliced

2 eggs 

1 pinch of salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme

splash of unsweetened original almond milk

1/2 tbs of olive or coconut oil (coconut gives everything a slightly sweeter flavor)

Heat up the olive oil in you skillet then add your bacon. Once that gets going but before it is brown add your chopped kale and carrot and let them begin to cook. 

You will notice the kale will become a darker green and the carrots will become a bit softer then add in your tomato.Make sure to periodically move the veggies around so they don't burn.

Now grab your eggs crack them into a bowl and add you splash of almond milk and wisk that around till it is all combined.

* Note: I am a Paleo girl not to mention also very dairy and gluten intolerant so I never use anything containing those ingredients but shift as your body asks.  

Now pour your egg mixture on top and let it cook. Make sure to use your spatula to move the eggs around as over cooking is a problem. 

Once there is no more liquid from the eggs you are ready to go.

So plate up and enjoy and shift what you use around as you find other in-season veggies or items from your garden!

Well that is all for now ya'll. It's lunch time and my stomach is demanding my honey, garlic chicken wings so off to the kitchen!!

<3 ya

Jenn

 Make sure to comment and let me know whats on your mind! I love hearing your thoughts and input :)