Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse, Mailbox Surprises, Full Moon, Body Talk

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Happy Monday, Bloggies!  How has your day been?  Back to the ole school or work grind, I’m assuming.  My day was nice.  I went to yoga this morning and it felt really good.  Since finishing my 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program recently, I took a week or so and scaled back a bit on the amount of in-studio yoga classes I was taking.  I teach plenty, and I practice at home every day in some capacity even if I don’t have a studio class, so not driving around to take a class has been nice.  But, it was indeed great to have a nice, hot-n-steamy, power class today.   

I hesitate to write this, but I will…There was a random comment by a fellow yoga student who is in incredible shape and has a very sculpted fitness/figure model-type body that made me stop dead in my tracks She said she couldn’t do a particular pose because of her “big butt”.  She was trying to be funny but the disparaging and self-deprecating comment, and how she apparently views herself, made me cringe.   There were so many uplifting posts last week regarding NEDA from Jenny’s, to Katie’s, to Gena’s, to Mama Pea’s, to Alyson’s, to Snacky’s, to Sophia’s, to Shelley’s, that I was thrown out of my Zen a bit by this big butt talk.  Anyway though, that was my yoga today, my work today; to breathe in the good, let go of the bad, and do not attach to the negativity that was around me.  

Moving Along…ahem…
Then, Skylar and I came home and got busy around the house.  More on that in a minute…

But I am so glad that you liked the Raw Vegan Caramels!

Raw Vegan Caramels

Close up of Raw Vegan Caramels

And Nut Butter Filled Caramel Bites

Nut Butter Filled Caramel BitesClose up of Nut Butter Filled Caramel Bites

and my recipe for Homemade Vegan Raw Caramel Sauce, too!

Raw Vegan Caramels in bowl
One Nut Butter Filled Caramel Bite
These Vegan Caramels and Stuffed Carmels are sooo easy3 ingredients, Gluten/Soy/TreeNut-Free, and the the flavor is totally spot-on, authentic, melt-in-your-mouth goodness!  I hope you make them!  And with anything of mine that you make, I love comments or emails telling me that you made something, so keep those coming, too!

I enjoyed hearing Your Comments and Perspective on If You Try to Save or Change Someone’s Mind.  I mentioned that I am kinda done “saving the world” and changing others’ perspectives because it’s important to me to conserve my own energy and not become emotionally riled up and convince people who, frankly, can’t be changed or convinced.   It was Great Hearing What You Do, and Your Strategy for Dealing with Others’ Different Choices and Ways!  Thanks everyone for chiming in!

Today, after I came home from yoga, I made another Batch of Raw Vegan Chocolate MousseClick Here for the Recipe.   I cut the recipe in half this time as I mentioned and suggested that if you’re cooking for 1-2 people, Use 2 Secret Ingrediets (avocados!) not 4, like I did last batchAnd no, you cannot taste the avocado, at all.  I had alot of questions about that and no, you really can’t, I promise!

Blender with ingredients for Raw Vegan Chocolate MousseInside blender showing ingredients

After a hot second in the Vita, here Comes the Mousse!

Blended up ingredientsTamper showing the consistency of batter

I portioned the mousse into 3 bowls and popped them in freezer.

Three bowls of Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Close up of Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse in bowl

Oh Boy.  This Chocolate Mousse is Rawkin’ and Amazing and Scott, who doesn’t really even like guacamole and “doesn’t like avocados” loves this stuff and begs me to make it!

Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse in white bowlClose up of Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse
 When are you going to Make It?

While I was making mousse, Skylar got her dress-up clothes on and was dancing around.   

Young girl I dress clothes wearing necklaceYoung girl in dress up clothes dancing

It’s fairy meets ballerina meets bead lady meets 80s aerobics class with the wrist-warmers on that belong to her doll!

Girl in dress up close doing aerobics
Young girl in bedroom waving while wearing dress up clothes

After Dance Fever and the chocolate making fest finished, I opened the mail and was fortunate enough to find a sweet gift from Lori of Run Lori Run waiting for me!

Vegan Carob Chips in ziptop bag

Last week I had mentioned that I was trying to get more into Carob Chips than Chocolate ChipsWell, sweet Lori sent me some Vegan Carob Chips!

Close up of Vegan Carob Chips in bag

And I mentioned that I was also in hot pursuit of Maca last week.

Bag of Maca Powder

And I found some at Whole Foods that I’ve been dousing all over my popcorn

 
Nutritional Yeast Popcorn
 Click Here for the Fast & Easy Way to Pop Your Corn!
 
Sawdust Maca Powder Sprinkled
Close up of Maca Powder Sprinkled over popcorn

 And Lori sent me some, too!

Container of Maca Magic
Close up of container of Maca Magic

Just last week I was talking about all the great friends I have “met” and made from blogging.  And that I don’t care about the food so much as I care about the awesome relationships and friendships that have stemmed from blogging!  Well, Lori is one of those awesome people I was talking about!

Drawing on white board with heart symbol and the name Lori

Lori’s got an amazing heart and I see some blogger meetups in our future when I get back to California!  Thanks again, Lori for thinking of me….muah!!!  xoxo

As if that wasn’t enough, the folks at UliMana were kind enough to also send me a little box of organic raw chocolate goodies!

Tao of Cacao Organic and Raw Treats

Here’s what they sent: Tao of Cacao

Close up of Tao of Cacao treats
Side View of Tao Treats in container

What I love about UliMana is that not only are their products Organic, Raw and Vegan, and taste wonderfully delicious, but it’s also made by hand, they believe in Fair Trade practices..and their name UliMana has such wonderful meaning behind it, too!

Label on back of Tao of Cacao treatsStatement of raw product use on packaging

From their Site: “Uli is the name of the goddess from the Huna science who oversees the feminine domain and is also known as the ‘Goddess of Serenity’. Mana means life force energy. When you have a lot of Mana, (as in ManaMana), you are healthy and vibrant. When speaking the name UliManaMana you are asking the goddess Uli for the blessing of life force energy and vibrant health.”

Still life with Two Raw Chocolate Spreads: our Maca Manna & Goji Manna Raw cacao nib truffles, peppermint truffles, and coconut truffles!

 

UliMana Chocolate Brochure
UliMana contact information

Thank you So Much, UliMana, I can’t wait to work my way through this stash, after I eat down the Carmels and the Chocolate Mousse I just made!

Tao of Cacao package

Some Raw Green Food Included: Mixed Spring Greens, Sugar Snap Peas, Tomatoes, Cukes, and Brussels (I steam those for 45-60 seconds in 1 inch of water in the micro and they are still pretty raw and crunchy, which is how I like them).

Raw Green Salad with mixed vegetablesClose up of green salad with vegetables

Dressed with Maple Ginger Dijon Vinaigrette

Maple Ginger Dijon Vinaigrette
Maple Ginger Dijon Vinaigrette with whisk in bowl
There’s something about the flavor of the maple and dijon with the raw veggies that works wonderfully well for me.
Green salad with vegetables

Dessert was a real Smorgasboard.  A nibble here, a nibble there...

 
Nut Butter Filled Caramel Bites

UliMana
Which is All Mine!

Tao of Cacao Package

And Scott had the Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse

Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse close up in bowl

Yoga Today is Dancer Pose (Natarajasana)

Woman doing Dancer Pose yoga pose

LAST CHANCE REMINDER-Winners Announced Tuesday, March 2, 2010!
Tip of the Day: My Give Away for Naturally Nutty3 Winners will be Chosen and Each Winner Will Receive 1 Jar of Naturally Nutty!!!!

    Have fun everyone!  Thanks Naturally Nutty!!!! 
***The contest ends on Tuesday, March 2, 2010***

 

Have You Entered Yet?  There’s tons of ways to enter, and Naturally Nutty is Fabulous, so I hope you’ve entered!  Click Here to Enter Now!!!!! 

Oh and yesterday, Sunday February 28, 2010 was a Full Moon in Virgo.  I’ve posted about the Full Moon and How it Effects UsClick Here to Read Up On It!  

Everything from insomnia, sleep disturbances, heated interpersonal exchanges, to computers and tech-related things going all glitchy and malfunctioning.  Janetha had this happen yesterday, in fact, and her computer ate a nearly-completed post…I feel your pain, girl

Here’s a Nice List I Found About Yesterday/Today’s Full Moon
This Full Moon illuminates: ailments of the mind-body-spirit that need attention; the steps to technically mastering a skill; the search for the craft in an artform; detoxification of the body.

It’s a Good Time to:
Map out the steps toward a goal, with daily routine in mind.
Spend time alone, like taking a walk or reading.
Resolve to be a born again virgin, and make sex sacred again.
Take steps to improve your diet, cutting out toxins.
Spend time caring for a child, the elderly or an animal in need.
Set aside time each day to practice toward a goal.
Organize your desk, garage, closet, bookshelf.
Write letters or postcards.
Take care of business that involves fine print.
Research or edit
Attend a literary event.

Questions
1.  How Much Do You Pay Attention to the Moon Cycles or Natural Phenomenon?  Have you noticed any changes this week in your mood (perhaps more manic, more energetic, and less grounded) or your sleep (lighter, more fitful, insomnia) the past few days?
I would say yes to all of the above!  How about you?

2. I know this is not a new question in the ‘sphere or in life in general, but aren’t you totally sick of “fat talk”??  If I have to listen to one more woman talk negatively of herself, even in jest, I think I am going to tear my hair out!  It’s doubly upsetting for me because as a mother to a little girl, I am trying to instill within her a sense of confidence, the ability to embrace our bodies for all they can DO not what they look like (or don’t look like); the form and shape of our bodies is secondary to functionality.  And as women, we can grow people inside of us, we can nurse our baby’s, our body’s are amazing. Embrace them!  I want to instill a positive, uplifting, I-am-woman-hear-me-roar kind of attitude, and then the Fat Talk seeps in.  Bleahhhhh!!!!! 
Anyway, do you do ignore it?  Address it?  Not associate with those individual’s anymore?  However, it’s pervasive, it’s in the media, on the news, and even in my yoga class!  
What’s your take on it and what do you do when you just want to cover your ears?!

Stay Tuned For The Contest Winners Announcement!…

 

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