Super oatmeal!

Challenge day #20

I am happy to say that I have completed 2/3 of my Bikram Yoga 30 days challenge. It hasn't been as hard as I seriously thought it would be, my body actually feels amazingly good! I have definitely improved all the postures and sweat all the possible toxins from my body. 

It has been extra cold in New York for the last couple of days, so my body has been craving warm and spicy foods instead of cold smoothies etc- so that's what I have tried to do.

This morning I had oatmeal with organic blueberries and a lot of super healthy seed. It was really fulfilling and tasty.

Super oatmeal

half cup of steel cut oats

water (maybe a cup)

dash of himalayan salt

1/2 tbsp hempseed

1/2 tbsp chiaseed

1/2 tbsp flaxseed

1/2 tbsp sesameseed
1 tsp coconut oil

Organic blueberries

raw honey

(almond milk)

*Soak the seed in water overnight if possible

Add water, oats and salt to a pot and cook until oats are soft. Add seed, honey and blueberries and eat it with almond milk if you like. 

Stay warm!!

-e-

DAY #7 and a Green Smoothie with a kick!

I have now accomplished the first 7 days of my challenge! My body feels great and I feel very motivated to continue. I really believe that setting yourself a goal makes you more motivated! Me and my best friend just booked a trip to Jamaica (BEACH!!!!!!!) one day after my 30 days challenge, that's my reward for myself (and a birthday gift). 

This morning I felt like having a kickstart for my day. So I made this special Green smoothie:

(serves 2)

1 cup water

2 handful baby spinach (can be kale or any leafy green)

2 celery stalks

1 organic pear

1 small frozen banana

1 small lemon (juice)

a piece of fresh ginger (about one centimeter)

1 tbsp hemp seed

1 tbsp flax seed (soaked or grounded)

1 tbsp chia seed

fresh parsley

Cayenne pepper!!

-e-

CHALLENGE YOURSELF

30 days challenge

Sometimes it's good to really challenge yourself. To set a goal that motiavates you to get where you want to be. My goal for January is 30 days challenge with Bikram Yoga. It means that I will practice 30 classes in 30 days. 
Today is my fifth day and I feel good! 
How do you challenge yourself?

-e-

New Year's Resolutions for 2013! -Uudenvuoden lupaukset 2013!

I have never really made New Year's resolutions but this year i thought about it and came up with a whole list of things I want to do in 2013.

1. Have more social life
The hectic lifestyle in New York and the endless "To Do" list has definitely made me have too little social life this year. 2013 will be different. I love spending time with my friends, they make me laugh and give me energy.
2. Try Crossfit
I have wanted to try crossfit for the longest time, but still didn't make it to my first class. I'm sure I would fall in love with it, it looks so much fun!!! In 2013, I will try cross fit, hopefully in January.
3. Explore New York
There are so many places I've never been and so many things I haven't done in New York. I live here!!!! It's ridiculous how I haven't seen anything. In 2013 I want to see or do something new every week.
4. Don't spend money like it grows on trees
I know I am not the smartest person when it comes to spending and saving money. I don't over spend or spend money that I don't have, but do use it too much. In 2013, I will not stop buying the foods I want to (which is my biggest expense) but will be smarter with it. I also want to start an investment.
5. Love more
I love my life already and I love the people around me. In 2013 I want to make sure to keep it that way, and remember to share love and good energy every day.

En ole oikeastaan koskaan tehnyt uudenvuoden lupauksia. Tana vuonna sainkin vastaavasti oikein listan aikaiseksi! Tassa ovat minun viisi uudenvuoden lupausta vuodelle 2013:

1. Enemman sosiaalista elamaa
Kiireinen elama New Yorkissa ja loputon tehtavalista on aiheuttanut sen, ettei minulla ole laheskaan niin paljoa sosiaalista elamaa kun haluaisin. Toiden jalkeen on lisaa toita, jota seuraa jooga tai lenkki ja sen jalkeen onkin jo ihan valmis rauhottumaan kotona. Vuosi 2013 tulee olemaan erilainen. Rakastan viettaa aikaa ystavieni kanssa. He tekevat minut onnelliseksi ja antavat lisaa energiaa.
2. Kokeile Crossfittia
Oon jo niin kauan halunnut kokeilla crossfittia, mutta en vielakaan mennyt ensimmaiselle tunnilleni. Olen ihan varma, etta se olis just mun juttu! Vuonna 2013, aijon kokeilla crossfittia toivottavasti jo tammikuussa.
3. Nää enemman New Yorkia
On niin paljon paikkoja ja asioita mita New Yorkilla on tarjota ja mita en ole kokenut. On itseasiassa naurettavaa miten vahan olen nahnyt. Vuonna 2013 haluan tehda/nahda jotain uutta joka viikko.
4. Älä tuhlaa rahaa niinkuin olisit miljonaari
Tiedan, etta minulla jos jollain on paljon opittavaa rahankaytosta. En jaksa oikein stressata rahasta ja usein kaytan sita ihan kuin se kasvaisi puussa. Vuonna 2013 aijon oppia! 
5. Rakasta enemman!
Nautin ja rakastan elamaani, ja ihmisia ymparillani. Vuonna 2013 haluan pitaa huolen siita etta kaikki sailyy ennallaan, seka jakaa positiivista energiaa ja rakkautta joka paiva kaikille minua ymparoiville ihmisille

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

-e-

Raw Baking: The best Chocolate Cake

This Raw chocolate cake is not too expensive and definitely easy to make. You can easily make it for the next day or eat it in an hour after freezing. It is not a low calorie cake (coconut oil, almonds and walnuts) but all the ingredients are natural and clean. It is a great dessert to serve for a group of health conscious  people or people who are skeptical for eating Raw foods. This will change their minds.

Chocolate Cake

base:

80g Almonds

20g Walnuts

70g dates

sea or Himalayan salt to taste

Filling:

1 1/2 avocados

70g raw cacao

50g coconut oil

100 g raw honey or raw cane sugar

1 vanilla bean or natural vanilla

pinch of sea or Himalayan salt

Soak the almonds and walnuts for at least 6 hours then drain and dehydrate them. This way they are easier to digest. Add dates and salt and blend until you have a dough. Press the dough into a small cake pan and place in the freezer while you make the filling.

Place all the filling ingredients in a food processor then blend everything until smooth. Pour the filling over the base. Set in the freezer for 1 hour or to the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. 

Raakasuklaa kakku

Pohja:

80g manteleita

20g saksanpahkinoita

70g taateleita

ripaus merisuolaa tai himalayansuolaa

Tayte:

1 1/2 avocadoa

70g raakakaakaota

50g kookosoljya

100g raakahunajaa tai ruokokidesokeria

1 vanilijatanko tai vanilijaa maun mukaan

ripaus meri tai himalayansuolaa

Liota manteleita ja saksanpahkinoita vahintaan 6 tuntia ja kuivaa ne. Nain ne ovat helpompi elimistolle sulattaa. Lisaa taatelit ja suola ja blendaa kunnes seoksesta muodostuu taikina. Painele taikina pieneen vuokaan ja laita pakastimeen  taytteen teon ajaksi. 

Laita kaikki tayteainekset tehosekoittimeen ja sekoita kunnes tayte on kokonaan pehmeaa. kaada seos pohjan paalle ja laita kakku pakastimeen tunniksi. Voit myos laittaa kakun jaakaappiin yon yli.

ENJOY!

-e-

5 Tips on How to avoid over-bloating on Christmas

I am a big fan of food, cooking and Christmas, but not a fan of feeling completely over-bloated and gassy.  Average American gains 10 pounds during Christmas. I will give you five tips on how to avoid this.

1. Plan ahead
If you know that you will have a big Christmas dinner tonight, eat a light breakfast and lunch with lots of vegetables and fruits. Also, try to avoid snacking that day. Serve the dinner from smaller plates than normally, that way you eat less.
2. Move
Just because its Christmas, you don't have to stop working out. If your gym is closed or you don't have time to go there, go for a 30-45min walk and get some fresh air.
3. Hydrate yourself
Drink a lot of water during the day. A lot of times we think we are hungry when our body is really just dehydrated. Make sure you drink enough water and have 2 glasses of water 20 minutes before the big dinner.
4. Wear fitted clothes
Wearing loose clothes make you feel like there is enough room for over bloating. If you wear fit clothes, it's more likely that you won't eat as much.
5. Socialize
Enjoy the holidays with your loved ones, sharing stories and laughing. Remember that Christmas is not all about food and chocolate, even though it is a big part of it. Enjoy your favorite foods by eating them slowly and tasting every bite. 

Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope you all can enjoy it with your favorite foods and loved ones!

My lovely Friend and Coworker Annika.

Healtier Holiday :)

I got a great idea from my client to write a post about healthier christmas foods. I'm not truly against all animal foods but I do think the amount of pigs and turkey we grow just for the holidays is nowhere even close to being human. That's why I think it's good to give some vegetarian ideas for the holidays. This way we don't have to feel bad for the animals, feel completely bloated and gain 5 pounds in two days.
I have to be honest. I have never cooked a vegetarian christmas dinner. Actually I have never even cooked a whole Christmas dinner, BUT I will this year. I will share some ideas and links for recipes that I have comen up with.

Appetizers:
Curried red lentil soup with sweet potatoes
Stuffed mushrooms with tofu and herbs
Green salad
Dinner:
Oven roasted sweet potatoes
Roasted red onions with olive oil, balsamic and honey
Herb cheese stuffed eggplant steaks
Dessert:
Raw Pecan Love pie
Vegan Eggnog

Recipes:
Vegan eggnog:
Ingredients
2 cups almond milk
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
(1/3 cup brandy)
2 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
Directions:
Blend all ingredients together in a pitcher. Serve your delicious vegan eggnog over ice and dress with a sprinkle of nutmeg and a cinnamon stick for the perfect festive touch.


Oven roasted sweet potatoes:http://kimberlysnyder.net/blog/2011/11/22/how-to-enjoy-a-thanksgiving-dinner-without-gaining-weight/
Curried red lentil soup:http://vegan.sheknows.com/2010/11/01/curried-red-lentil-soup-with-sweet-potatoes-and-greens/
Stuffed mushrooms: http://vegan.sheknows.com/2010/12/02/stuffed-mushrooms-with-tofu-and-herbs/
Roasted red onions with butter, honey and balsamic: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/roasted-red-onions-with-butter-honey-and-balsamic-vinegar-recipe/index.html
Herb cheese stuffed eggplant steaks: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/herb-cheese-stuffed-and-fried-eggplant-steaks-with-braised-radicchio-fennel-and-escarole-recipe/index.html
Hearty vegetable pot pie: http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/everyday-meals/contemporary-casseroles/hearty-vegetable-pot-pie/

TRY IT OUT AND LET ME KNOW! :)

-e-