And life has taken over my soul! How to maintain a healthy new lifestyle and 40 day challenge while still finding time for you

And it happened... a week and a half into my 40 day challenge Life took over my soul!

Between starting back at Starbucks, waking up at 4 am 4 days a week and till 10pm on the other two, working at the yoga studio, working my singing job and oh yeah trying to keep some sort of connection with my family and boyfriend, I got lost. The feeling of dread at having to find time to do everything that the world wanted me to and find time for all the meditations and kryias I, set out to do for 40 day was becoming a major stress point. I began trying to cut short or skip elements and then feel guilty about it, turning to massive sugar drinks at work, caffeine and potato chips when I got off. I even got the the point a last week where I did not even want to get up, because that meant that I would have to try and fall at it all again. 

After about 2 weeks of this, I stopped and looked at myself and said:

'Hey what the heck is going on??' 

What happened to the enthusiasm, the joy, the excitement that started you on this journey?? I had lost my joy in doing the yoga and meditating, had reverted back to horrible emotional eating habits I had kicked months ago and was back to heavy use of caffeine to function. I was a hot mess and a unhappy mess.

I needed to stop step back and look at what was going on.

And I realized in my excitement I took on too much and became too hard on myself when I physically over spent myself. 

I was trying to prove that I was a 'yogi' that I could do it all. But, prove it to who? Didn't I start out doing all of this for me? ....... Oh dear. 

 And oh I was.

So then I got to wondering, why on this green earth would you ever try to do a 40 day challenge then? Hmmm? It only causes stress and struggles right?

But:

“[W]hen we do sadhana, what do we do? We challenge the weakness, the laziness and our self-destruction. We challenge everything which is going to destroy us tomorrow.”
–Yogi Bhajan, 1/21/88

Well now that is pretty powerful wouldn't you say and rather true. The point of a 40 day challenge is not to be the most perfect yogi, do the most meditations, or show off your level of "commitment" to whom ever, where ever. It is to work with yourself and the technology given to make a change in your life. 

So ....... 

What now? Where does that leave me. Well I like to think of the whole situation like this :

"Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
-Michael Jordan

 

So I'm resetting and honoring my first attempt and what I have accomplished this far and so should YOU! To make any progress is a great accomplishment and creates a stepping stone for moving father next time. 

I'm working to clean my body and am getting back to Paleo. I feel better and happier when I'm healthy inside and so here are two of the meals I made this week:

 Paleo Jambalya

I based my recipe on the jambalaya by Paleo OMG but I can't help it I'm not a fan of cauliflower rice. So I took that part out and some of my Herb Ground Turkey and chicken Liver topper into it instead. A great source of protein!

  

Herb Ground Turkey and Chicken Liver Salad

I was trying to find a way to add organ meat into my diet, but was rather scared to just cook it straight up and eat it. So, I cooked it up with ground turkey and added spices as well. Now I added a 1:1 ratio of chicken liver to turkey and I will be honest it does not let the chicken hold together at all, even with the addition of an egg and 1 cup of almond meal to make it more of a meatball.

 

Blueberry Coconut Chia Seed Pudding

My favorite and easiest item to make for breakfast, dessert or just a snack:

In a blender Combine:

1 cup vanilla-flavored coconut milk
1 cup full fat coconut creme
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup chia seeds
1 cup blueberries
1 cup shredded coconut

Place in containers and refrigerate over night. Serve with fruit, nuts or toasted coconut.

 


Okay so we got our health focus back, but how do you balance health, your personal life, work and a Sadhanas? 

Well here are my list of start slow ideas:

• First honor your body!!- Your body knows what it is doing so listen to it. If you are exhausted or really sick listen and honor the place your at. It's okay. That being said this is not an excuse to be lazy, push yourself just don't push yourself over the edge.
• Be Reasonable about your planning- If you don't have a lot of extra time with work and family responsibilities don't choose a 30 min Kriya and 5 mantras. Especially if this your first 40 day start off small and put yourself fully into what you have chosen. This is better than taking on a huge commitment and only half-assing all of it. 
•  Leave time for you- Whether that is a relaxing bubble bath or a run around the block, you time is just as important as the "have to do" things in your life. Make sure you aren't giving away your 'you' time.

OKAY!

So now we are ready to reboot and to start again. Working on a 40 day, or just begin a personal Sadhana practice.

Here are some links to Help you out:

Kundalini Yoga Boston: 

This summer KYB is having a online free 40 Day challenge that is a bit lighter than some full 40 day challenges. So keep your eyes open.

Spirit Voyage:

Spirit Voyage  is in the middle of a Restoring your Personal Power 40 Day. But even if you come in late you can start up and follow the video found here.

They also have a collection of past 40 days instructional videos such as:
So Purkh, Bound Lotus, Kirtan Kriya, Burn Inner Anger ,Japji,Radiant Body, Be in Flow With Your Highest Wisdom

So find something that inspires you and challenge yourself. To be a healthier and happier you. I know I am going to try again and this time around honor the wonderful steps I take.

<3

Share your light, Share your love

Jenna

About this Author:

I'm army brat and an only child from a single parent house hold. I have my Masters of Music in Opera, done internationally published pin up and tattooed alternative clothing modeling, and released my first single internationally under my stage name Jenna Dark. Many people say that I have such a glamorous life and must love it, but to be honest for as positive I tried to be I never felt complete or really happy, struggling with hating my job, myself and huge parts of my life.

I have been gluten free and dairy free for over 6 years now and my health, and those I loved became important to me. I began cooking and making all natural health products and found such joy sharing it with everyone that I began sharing my creations on-line. But I still wasn't happy. I craved a community, a fulfilling sense of purpose and turned to yoga and exploring my spirituality.  Over the years though, I would fall in and out of practice, as I felt something was missing: enter KYB and Kundalini Yoga. 

 Well this was something new!! Different than anything I had done before, I immediately searched for any studio in the Boston Region and found a studio called KYB. The proverbial light bulb almost exploded over my head with excitement.

Fast forward a year and I have been through many changes in my life but Kundalini yoga and my desire to share my love of full body health has not changed. I am discovering my calling, finding joy and a focus to my life that I wondered if I would ever receive. 

And there dear reader is why I write this blog and create my podcast :) 

So that you may find the joy in yourself and all around you like I have

<3 Jenna W./ Param Sevak Kaur

Mothers Day and the Heart Center

The heart of the mother is the greatest power of Infinity ever given to any finite being." -Yogi Bhajan

So wow, officially cold calling from 8-5 can really up your life. Oh I don't think I shared with ya'll that I was temping at a market research firm for the last two weeks. I met some great people though and had some rather amusing conversations, but the overwhelming feeling of exhaustion hung on everything. I was told my project was done though today and I left after lunch with a mixture of joy, sadness and worry. Joy, because it was a gorgeous day out in Boston and no work meant more free time :) Sad, because it was a bit sudden. I was expecting to leave Friday felt rushed to actually say goodbye to all the  wonderful people I met. Worried, because this meant I would not be working till possibly next Wednesday. And you all know me, I tend to worry if given the chance especially when it comes to money. But, I have been working to calm my mind and fears and am proud to say, although the worrisome thoughts are surfacing from time to time, they are not stressing me out. So I am instead breathing deeply, working to take the time to let the universe do as it will and just enjoy myself.

So in honor of mothers day we are going to look at a few things to fill you with the love of the divine Mother:

A Planting Meditation of Rebirth of yourself and hope

All you need for this is a seed. It can be any time of seed.

I walk you through this on my podcast this week so make sure to check it out!! ;)

The Adi Shakti matra

This mantra goes helps us acknowledge the divine mother, the creative force flowing all and bow with reverence at that amazing force. 

The music used in this weeks mantra is Adi Shakti by Mantra Girl

Buy here

You may wonder why pull from different artist every week and why they are not in traditional mantra style. That is because I found love with Mantra from artists that expressed this timeless practice in their own voice, and want to give you all that opportunity as well.

If you want a more in depth look at the mantra go on over to 3ho. This post goes a little more in detail about the mantra. 

GO here

A Cool, Easy, Organic Gift idea for mom 

"Peppermint Latte" Organic Coffee Sugar Scrub

This scrub doesn't just smell good, but also has health benefits!!

• Olive Oil/ Coconut Oil: Nourishes your skin
• Coffee- The caffeine in coffee stimulates the skin, tightening it as well
• Sugar- Naturally exfoliates
• Mint – Soothing to the mind

1/2 Cup Ground Coffee

1/2 Cup White Sugar

1/4 Cup your choice of oil (coconut, oil, almond)

1 tbsp peppermint oil (note not essential oil measurements)

1) Mix together the coffee and sugar and add the peppermint oil

2)Then take your melted oil and slowly add it into the coffee/ sugar mix

3) Make sure it is completely mixed together

Note: To make this scrub organic make sure you are using all organic ingredients

It is wicked easy but is great gift!!!!

Have a great mothers day ya'll 

Share your light, Share your love

Jenna

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!

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 :)