vegetarian

Chocolate Chunk Banana Rum Muffins

/ Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

You know the name got you all tangled up in knots not knowing how to get these in your life. Don’t worry….I got you 😉

I know sometime this week you will be having some dark, on the verge of being gross bananas on your counter. What better way (other than freezing for smoothies or frozen banana cream) to use those overripe bananas than to turn them into a delicious muffin?

Plus, I put them in my small muffin tin, so they are bite-sized muffins.

I begin by chopping my chocolate because who doesn’t like chocolate chunks in their muffin?

I add flour, baking soda, salt to my melted butter, eggs, sugar, and rum extract.

Then, I add my chocolate chunks and walnuts.

Mix well and add to the designated muffin tin and top with chocolate granola.

If you’re using the small ones (like me) it’ll be approximately 15-18 minutes at 350 degrees.

You will not regret making these and you’re welcome to interchange as you please! This is what I like! Make it yours.

Recipe:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Chop 1 chocolate bar. Keep aside.

1.5 C. all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

Mix well; set aside.

Mash 3 medium bananas with 3/4 C. sugar.

Add 2 whisked eggs.

1 tsp. rum extract

Slowly add the dry ingredients and incorporate without over mixing. Add walnuts and chocolate chunks.

Place in prepared muffin pans and top with 1/2 C. of chocolate granola.

Bake 15 – 18 min or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy!!

**Take note with how you feel and journal. Remember food is an experience and taste is so super important. If you don’t like an ingredient I shared then replace it with your favorite(s). Food is personal and if you can tweak this to fit your tastes then I have done my job. I love to share my experiences and most importantly if what I’m eating will pay me and my body back with health and nourishment then I will try it all!** 

A day in a Yogi life while Spring cleaning

/ Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

Happy Tuesday!

The beautiful healing wonderland shared some much-needed medicine with me today. Wanishi! (“Thank you” in Lenape.)

I began my 1st day of my Spring reset yesterday and it was a beautiful jump into Spring! I woke up at my usual time of 5:30 AM and began my morning routine with a meditation and some yoga. I have been keeping my thermos full of hot water to sip on throughout the day. Per Ayurveda, the hot water moves the Ama out. Ama is the built up “bad stuff” that accumulates in our bodies. Especially, after the winter feasts and lazy body syndrome. It makes sense to me, so I do it.

It was a workday, so I had a late breakfast of mango and sliced pears. I finished my 1st thermos of hot water and heated up a refill. By my next break, I was dying to get out into the weather. Me and my dogs went for a leisure stroll.

Red lentils, corn, coconut milk, and spices make this a comforting and satiating meal.

Afterwards, I ate one of my favorite vegan meals. It’s a corn chowder and you can find the recipe HERE. It has Indian spices, and I didn’t have any chili powder this time, so I used chana masala spice and it tastes just as great as I remember. I also, had my matcha moringa latte later in the afternoon.

My favorite latte at the moment. 1/2 tsp. Moringa powder, 1/2 – 1 tsp Matcha powder. Mix well with hot water. Add almond milk. Enjoy!

My friend and I planned on meeting up this week to forage together. She showed me how to identify nettles and we began cutting and she explained to me where to cut so the plant can still thrive. I got a lot picked before we realized we’d be late for yoga if we didn’t book it. I didn’t mention that we climbed up a hill and went down a steep hill that we now had to climb up now and fast.

It’s mind-blowing how much food is out here in the woods.

Yoga class was a great finale to my Monday. We stretched and did A LOT of core work, but it was amazing! I was really connecting with my breath and enjoying the flow until I saw something fall off me. I looked down and it was a bug. I was going to pick it up with my hands but quickly realized it was a tick! LOL! I picked up my yoga mat as calm as possible and heaved its tiny body out the door off my mat. I proceeded back to my spot with my mat after I dropped off my arachnid friend outside. I love my Monday yoga group!

I couldn’t wait to get home and process my nettles in hot boiling water. That is what takes the “sting” out of them, so they are edible. I learned so much today and I’m planning on sharing my nettle recipes as they unfold. I’m feeling a pesto so stay tuned!

Bath time to ensure safe eating 🙂

I had a later than normal dinner at 6:45. No biggie. I whirled up some pineapple, spinach, ginger, and adaptogens in my blender and stirred up some bagged Asian sesame salad. Voila! I was satiated quickly and definitely before 7 PM.

My smoothie: 1 C. pineapple, 3 C. fresh spinach, 1 “thumb” of peeled ginger, water or ice. Blend.

Usually, after dinner I curl up with a good book. I’m currently reading “It Ends With Us” by Coleen Hoover and it’s a page turner! Tonight I needed to reflect on the days events and my upcoming week. It’s going to be pretty busy so I hope the ride is smooth and uninterrupted but even if it’s not I’ll be ok. One day at a time is all I can handle for now. Have a great rest of the week and enjoy some nature! It’s great for the body, mind, and soul.

Namaste, friends!

All artwork created by Amaia.

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.