I ACCEPT what I cannot change!

For those of you that don't know me that personally, I am a self-proclaimed Spirit Junkie (term ever so lovingly borrowed from the wonderful Gabrielle Bernstein http://gabbyb.tv/. She is amazing, please visit her site, pick up one of her books or just watch a few clips of her giving you positive love + light!

I use her daily iPhone app, Spirit Junkie, for daily inspiration AND motivation...and today's really reminded me of something I always like to address when it comes to my illness:

I accept what I cannot change.

Living with Type 1 Diabetes for the last 25 years has definitely had it's ups and downs (no pun intended)....but I have never once stopped living the way I've wanted to, or ever let my disease tie me down or limit me in any way.

I can't deny that there have been times I have thought, poor me...or why me.....but I can count on one hand the amount of times those thoughts have entered my mind - and then ever so lovingly I have let them go.

I accept what I cannot change is an interesting line for me to write about because I AM trying to change my disease for the better - I am trying to be the healthiest diabetic possible for me, and I am trying to reverse what some consider my inevitable future. 

I am not trying to prove I will not need insulin to survive, I will always need insulin to survive until there is a cure to waking my pancreas back up! But, I am going to try everything I can to wake my pancreas out of hibernation and heal myself - if that means lying in my yoga class in shavasana sending love to my pancreas, so be it - if that means going on a month-long raw/vegan food diet to see what results I get, so be it - and if that means standing in the mirror every morning and every night repeating the same mantra: "Only beautiful, loving and healthy things occur around me and within me" - so be it!

I am accepting this disease because I cannot change the fact that I have been blessed with this challenge, and that's how I view my diabetes, as a challenge that is part of my path on this beautiful earth. This outlook will push me forward to help others with diabetes to accept the disease, take responsibility, be thankful for the challenge and learn how to survive with positive energy and light!

I cannot change the fact that I have this disease, but I can change the way I accept it and the way it effects my spirit and soul. 

I accept my disease fully. I always have. But I WILL change it....

Kale OPA! Quinoa Salad

As you've probably guessed this is a variation of a typical greek salad - made more substantial with some quinoa and even more healthy and delicious with freshly chopped organic lacinato kale!

Chopped Lacinato (dinosaur) Kale - my favourite kale for taste, texture and chopping!
Quinoa (I usually add in as much cooked quinoa as I feel like)
Green Onions and chives chopped
Yellow and Orange chopped Peppers
Sliced Kalamata Olives
Sliced Cucumber
Pumpkin Seeds
Hemp Seeds
Greek Seasoning (I use Clubhouse, but I should really make my own with dried herbs)

Dressing: juice of 1 lemon, EVOO, apple cider vinegar, black papper, spoonful of whole grain mustard

This salad is SOOOOO tasty, it's healthy and delicious and full of nutrients. Plus, the quinoa fills you up and adds protein!

OPA!

Hello Weekend!!!!

It's Friday, and I'm starting a new "Hello Weekend" weekly post about how you can stay healthy on the weekend - Diabetic or not!

It's easy to relax and let go on the weekends, who are we kidding? However, if you look at it from a different perspective, perhaps relax and rejuvenate...you will keep your healthy living goals on track!

Here are some FOOD tips:

• Make your own fries or chips - slice sweet potatoes, beets, yuca root, or plain old potatoes into thin round slices and bake for 40 min in the oven - toss in coconut oil and your favourite spice (cumin, cayenne, cinnamon) salt and pepper before putting in the oven - great for side dishes or just SNACKS!

• Add greens to every meal - even breakfast! Who doesn't love eggs benny or even pancakes on the weekend? I try to get creative with my breakfasts on the weekend because I don't have time during the 9-5 grind throughout the week. Try serving your omelette on a bed of spinach or kale instead of toast...or serve your pancakes with a side salad of spinach and berries!

• Make your own food! This is so important - as much as you may want to order take-out, go out to a restaurant or just grab something quick and easy at the store, you actually have the time on the weekends (I hope...) to make your meals with fresh and healthy food and LOVE!

• Plan your meals for the week - look on some blogs (ahem....) for recipes, tips or even google a food program for the week (coming soon). Make a list, take into consideration left-overs, so what you make for the dinner one night can be lunches for the next day!

• Cook for the upcoming week - because I actually do cook for people as a side venture, I do most of my cooking on Sundays. Make a huge pot of soup for lunches, cook a large batch of quinoa to make a salad, side dish and even breakfast meals!

• On top of all of these exciting food tips don't forget to EXERCISE! Moving for at least 30 min every single day is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Even if it's pouring rain outside do a little circuit in your living room - squats, push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks...whatever gets your heart rate up and breaks even a bit of a sweat is beneficial in so many ways for your mind, body and soul.

• Don't forget to try meditation and daily affirmations - you will notice a big difference in your life if you bring both of these practices into your life every day. Try them out for a week and notice how relaxed, happy and inspired you feel :)

Wishing you all a HAPPY + HEALTHY weekend!!!!!!

xoxo

Kale + Cabbage Salad

This salad really doesn't require much, however it is very satisfying and VERY good for you, and tastes pretty good too :) It's the perfect refreshing salad for a hot summer day - however, I enjoy it any time of the year and it makes you very satisfied especially with the added avocado!

Kale + Cabbage Salad

Chopped Lacinato (Dinosaur) Kale
Chopped Napa Cabbage
Chopped Red Cabbage
Julienned Carrots
1 avocado sliced
Thinly chopped green onion
Pumpkin Seeds

Dressing: EVOO, 1/2 lemon, apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp whole grain mustard, 1 tsp of honey, pepper

Mix and enjoy! If you want the kale to be slightly more tender let it sit in the dressing for about an hour before serving!

Other options: adding quinoa to make it slightly more substantial, adding sliced almonds or sunflower seeds instead of pumpkin seeds!

Mango Raspberry Sorbet

Ok seriously, this might be one of my favourite things to eat of ALL TIME! I ate the entire bowl and was craving more.

The best thing about this recipe is that it's literally the easiest thing to make and the most delicious thing you will ever try - or one of them at least ;)

I don't know if these flavours are just the perfect match or what but it's SO good!

• First, buy fresh mangoes, slice them up, take the skin off and freeze them.

• Mix the frozen mango slices with frozen raspberries in a blender. Add about 1/2 cup of water depending on the amount of fruit...use as much as you think, but not too much, and BLEND!

• You can always stick it back into the freezer and enjoy the next day (like I did last night!)

Other combinations I've done are: banana and cinnamon (just like ice cream, freeze the bananas after you peel them) - banana, cacao and almond butter, peaches and ginger!

Spicy Pseudo-Mayo Dip

If you love spicy mayo as much as I do...or did...you will LOVE this recipe!

Avocado is not only the best addition to any salad, it is also the best replacement for mayonaise.

Sweet potato fries are also another favourite snack of mine and when paired with this pseudo-mayo dip you will not be able to get enough - or share!

Spicy Pseudo-Mayo Dip

2 Avocados
3 tbsp EVOO
Zest of 1 lemon
2 cloves of garlic pressed
Chile Flakes
Sriracha Sauce - 2 tbsp
Celtic Sea Salt
Black Pepper

Mix all ingredients together until smooth and let cool in the fridge. I drizzle sriracha and sprinkle chile flakes on top for visual appeal ;)

Spicy Sweet Potato Fries

Cut 2 large sweet potatoes into sticks. Put into a large bowl and drizzle 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil, chilli powder, salt and pepper over the potatoes. Mix very well until all potatoes are covered and then bake at 400° for 40 minutes in the oven, turning once.

Kale Ginger Slaw

When you have a lot of random leftover veggies in the fridge it is easy to just look at them and toss them out. Well, I have a better solution - besides roasting them and making a great meal or soup - but using them to make a slaw salad that is great with any meal!

Kale Ginger Slaw

Raw Kale
Julienned Carrots
Julienned Zucchini
Julienned Celery
Red Cabbage chopped/sliced
Quinoa
Pumpkin Seeds
Toasted Sesame Seeds

Dressing: Tahini, Sesame Oil, Tamari, Freshly chopped ginger 2 inches, 1 clove of pressed garlic, 1/2 lemon, black pepper

Mix all veggies together, add cooked quinoa - as much as  you desire - sprinkle with seeds and then dressing and mix together. Let sit for at least 15 minutes before serving.

I also made wraps out of this delicious dish and spread 1/2 an avocado lightly onto the wraps as it was very soft and then added the pre-mixed Kale slaw!

Weekend Craving Tips!

Superbowl always has people craving wings, nachos, beer, ribs, cheese dip and deep fried food! Not only do the commercials on TV try and drill these images of food into our heads, but so do our friends and family who aren't on the same clean-eating path as we are.

So here are a list of tips for Superbowl weekend, and really any weekend in general:

• Try veggies instead of chips with your salsa, guacamole or black bean dip. These dips are VERY easy to make yourself which will save you calories, preservative chemicals and unnecessary fats and sugars!

• Craving pizza? Use ezekiel wraps and make your own pizzas in the oven in just a few minutes - try making a homemade sauce with tomatoes, herbs and fresh basil. Add veggies and if you want some goat cheese instead of cheddar or make your own pesto in minutes and use as the base!

• Having a carb moment? Sauté lots of greens with garlic and chile flakes and serve some quinoa pasta on top making the greens the main part of the dish - your cravings will still be satisfied but you'll have more of the good stuff in the meal!

• Pop your own popcorn and melt coconut oil on top - sprinkle with cinnamon if you like a sweet but salty treat, or just sea salt and pepper!

• Last but not least, considering it's Superbowl weekend, try a vegetarian chilli instead of a meat-heavy one. Instead of wings try serving grilled chicken with salsa and sliced avocado on the side - and instead of nachos prepare a mexican-style salad with all the ingredients you would put on a nacho plate but substitute with healthy fresh veggies instead of meat, cheese and more cheese!