A Gluten Free Morning!

My youngest loves patty cakes (pancakes), so when I recieved this sample in the mail I had to try them.  Not only were thay better than I thought, they came out super cute in the Mickey Mouse pancake maker I bought.  For my gluten free friends, you may want to check this product out!



P.S.  If Mickey Mouse is not your thing,  check this and other pancake pans out

Easy Breakfast Treat

No Cook Oatmeal

Got this recipe from a vendor at the farmers market.

Put in jar: 1/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup of milk ( any type)
1/2 cup of yogurt (any type)

Put lid on jar and shake. Open jar and add sides ( nuts, fruit, honey, etc.)
Put in refrigerator overnight and enjoy in the morning.
It's ready to eat right out of the jar!

Just Eat Fresh Foods!

This article sums up how I am feeling about my diet now.

Plant Based Diet

Health Coach!

Check out my new website www.healthysouthernliving.com.

This is my health coaching business which I LOVE!  This is awesome work and I enjoy helping people improve their quilty of life through healthy eating and living.  I have a few openings for fall clients and will start group sessions in the new year!

Loving the Skin You're In!

Check out my article on MindBodyGreen.com below!  

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

3 Tips to Love the Skin You're In!

Inspirational Twitter Quotes from the Weekend!

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11hGermaine S. Gordon ‏@SouthernVegGirl

Act and behave as the person you want to be. @drberniesiegel#IINLive

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11hGermaine S. Gordon ‏@SouthernVegGirl

"It's only work if there is someplace else I'd rather be." My first coaching client last week and there was nowhere I'd rather be.#IINLive

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11hGermaine S. Gordon ‏@SouthernVegGirl

What am I to learn from this experience. What do I need to bring nourishment into my life -Dr. Bernie Siegel #IINLive

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12hGermaine S. Gordon ‏@SouthernVegGirl

Kill with kindness and torment with tenderness #IINlive

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12hGermaine S. Gordon ‏@SouthernVegGirl

Most significant public health issue is parenting#IINlive

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14hNewlifesynergy ‏@Newlifesynergy

"Get still, get calm & let who you are out." @JohnDouillard #IINLive

 Retweeted by Germaine S. Gordon

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14hGermaine S. Gordon ‏@SouthernVegGirl

2/3 of plate should be veggies. 1/3 split protein/starch #IINLive

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15hGermaine S. Gordon ‏@SouthernVegGirl

We need to walk with more awareness #IINLive

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15hJennifer Kramer ‏@fastpacedfoodie

@JohnDouillard "I love you because I love loving you" - yes! #IINLivenew mantra, be satwa, be the sun!

 Retweeted by Germaine S. Gordon

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15hGermaine S. Gordon ‏@SouthernVegGirl

Stress impacts the body through the intestinal tract.~John Douillard#IINLive

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We Have Got to Do Better!

Just read this article where it seems in the future states will be fatter.
To get more information click Here!

My New Website!

Hey folks my new website is up!  Check out www.healthysouthernliving.com and learn more about my new health coaching business!

Sipping...Just Sipping

photo from mindbodygreen.com

I've been sipping on hot to warm water daily and noticed a difference in my digestion, skin, and cravings.  Even though I still like sugar, I don't crave it as much anymore and also noticed I am not as bloated.  I learned about this and other interesting healthy lifestyle tips while taking classes at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.  I know I haven't posted much lately, been going through some growing pains.  All is well though.  Click to your right for info on the health benefits of sipping warm water.

Yummy Breakfast Treat

I saw this yummy looking breakfast treat/desert and thought I have got to try this!  The only thing I may have trouble finding is the vegan puffed pastry.  If anyone knows where I can get some, please leave me a comment or drop me a line at germaine.gordon@gmail.com.  Also if you try this recipe let me know how it turns out.  In the meantime, check out the recipe below.

 > Vegan Almond Apple Flowers <

The Southern Vegetarian Revolution Continues...

Check me out in the local e-zine 225 Dine.

Local Vegetarian Blogger

I am a Part of the Revolution!!!

Source: mindbodygreen.com via MindBodyGreen on Pinterest

My Favorite Whole Grain Pancakes for Mother's Day

Pancakes

• 1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1/3 cup spelt flour
• 3/4 tablespoon agave
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups Almond Milk
• Egg replacer for 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup Earth Balance buttery spread melted plus additional for brushing griddle
• Whisk together dry ingredients in a bowl, then add milk, egg replacer, and oil and whisk until smooth. Let stand 5 minutes (batter will thicken). If batter is too thick to pour easily (whole-wheat flours vary in how much liquid they absorb), thin with additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time. Pour batter onto hot griddle, flip, and Enjoy!
  

adapted from epicurious.com

Tips for How to Keep Food Fresh

I have heard people say they don't like to buy organic foods because they go bad quickly.  Well here are some tips to keep your veggies fresh.

For more information click here!

A Diet Change for the Former President

Check out this short article on President Clinton's decision to go vegan here.

Great Food from Humble Beginnings

Recently, I moved to a neighborhood that doesn't have the fanciest supermarkets or an abundance of health food stores.  There are two food stores within 5 minutes of my driveway.  One store I only went to once because my Aunt likes the potato chips that are sold there, the other, is a locally owned joint that has a nice sized produce section and some healthy choices on the shelf.  Now, I could drive an extra 15 minutes to go to fancier stores but there is something to be said for the small local market.  I made polenta cakes with marina and sauteed spinach with items bought from my neighborhood grocer.  I bought oatmeal with flax and found free range eggs.  No, it's not perfect, and there wasn't any organic produce but for the folks who live in the area it's where they buy their weekly groceries and have a little piece of community.  It's big enough to shop for the week and yet small enough to see your neighbors.  I know most folks, including myself, talk about the importance of organic and all natural but what if you don't live close to that type of store?  What if the local grocer only has a few healthy items that could help a person transitioning to a better food lifestyle, feel comfortable about shopping?  How about the local folks, the local economy, and keeping the money circulating in the community instead of it being shipped to headquarters in Texas or Arkansas?  Just my rambling thoughts.  What do you think?

Below are the simple steps for my polenta dinner.

1.  I made Bobs Red Mill polenta according to package directions and place in a large oiled rectangular baking dish.  Place in freezer for ten minutes to set.

2.  In olive oil, saute' green onion and garlic.  Add spinach, salt and pepper to taste, cover and cook on low.  Allow the spinach leave to wilt slowly.

3.  Heat favorite marina sauce.  Add a little agave or honey to help mellow the acidity of the tomatoes.  Season to taste.

4.  Once polenta is firm cut polenta into squares.  Place marina at the bottom of plate, place polenta square on top, top square with marinara and the place some spinach on top. Enjoy!

Homemade Pop Tarts!!!

I saw this today on my Facebook feed via Oprah.com.  It just reminded me of how much I love to bake.  I must try these soon!

check it out > http://www.oprah.com/food/Toaster-Pastries-Recipe <

Thankful for my Garden and Cookies!!!

The return of my stevia

This past Friday I decided to go to my Mom's house and take a look at all of my plants I neglected in the winter.  Some had shriveled leaves and others looked plain dead.  But to my surprise, Most of my plants were still growing.  When the plants had turned to seed, those seeds fell on the soil and laid dormant until spring.  Now my stevia plant is back, I had seeds from some of my greens mix, I saw basil popping up despite the weeds, and flowers on my strawberry plants.  Don't you just love plants!  They may lay dormant in the winter but in the spring they come back.  Sometimes if they don't make it through the cold, they leave a seed that sprouts and continues with the life giving qualities that the plant supplies.  Life is so awesome that way!  We all go through seasons and plant seeds that will grow even when we are no longer around.

Tarragon

Right now some say America is going through a winter.  Well in this winter I've grown stronger and learned how to do a lot of things with less.  One fun thing I learned is how to make oatmeal cookies from packets of instant oatmeal.  One day I wanted to bake some cookies.  I love to bake, I must admit (The other night I baked some awesome bread, pics are below.) and that night it was a cookie night.  All I had were the basic ingredients and plain oatmeal.  No raisins, no nuts, not chocolate chips.  What I did have in addition to plain oatmeal were packets of raisin, date, and walnut oatmeal.  Hmm... so, what I ended up doing was substituting some of my flour with oatmeal packets instead of doing like I used to and buying all the extra ingredients separate.

Here is my recipe below
1/2 cup butter substitute or Earth Balance Coconut Blend
1 cup sugar
egg replacer mixed for one egg
1/2 tsp of vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of flour
2 packets of oatmeal

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream butter and sugar together for about 5 mins.  Add egg replacer and vanilla.  Mix dry ingredients together and mix in with butter and sugar mixture.  Scoop about 1 tbs of dough per cookie on to a cookie sheet and press down slightly.  bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Enjoy!

The next thing I want to try is the organic oatmeal with flax and maple and make that into cookies.  On sale I've seen a box of 5 packets for about  $1.50.  Not bad for organic, and I don't have to buy the flax seeds, oatmeal and maple syrup separately.  Just a little something to get your week started on a sweet note and to also remind you all that no matter the season, we can always survive and grow.

my strawberries

Aloe

My bread in a bundt cake pan,  all of my other pans are in storage.  Gotta make the most of what you have!

Tonight's Dinner!!!

Photo: Hannah Whitaker-oprah.com

I saw this recipe on Oprah.com and decided this was going to be dinner tonight.  Hmm, let's see if I can get the kids to make it. You can sub the cheese and add what you choose.  Check it out!
>Pan Fried Pizza<

Christian yoga: Trading ’om’ for ’amen’

Since I was in college I've been told that I was a healer.  From the lady who felt my hands while on vacation in the Carribean to the reiki healer who told me that if I don't use my gift that it will literally burn inside of me.  I've studied reiki, ashstanga yoga, intuituve cooking, and as of late I'm studying nutrition at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and taking bible classes at night.  I choose not to limit my views on healing and my gift to others is the ability assist in healing the whole body, mind, and spirit.  With that said I saw this article on Christian yoga and wanted to see what some folks think.  I don't think I am less of a believer in Christ because I practice yoga.  Some disagree.  Your thoughts?


Christian yoga: Trading ’om’ for ’amen’