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Hello, all! How have things been with you, dear readers?

Life around here has been wonderful and busy in a good way. I’m a month into my cosmetology program and I am LOVING it! I’m learning SO much already and I’ve only just begun: everything from manis and pedis to hair cuts, styling, curling, and most recently… perms! Which: whoa. Going back to school has been the best decision I’ve made yet, and I can’t wait to share more with you once I get some killer pics.

For now, here’s more delicious bread!

This has been a weekly favorite around here!

I prefer it toasted and plain; my honey likes it with butter. Either way, it’s great for breakfast or for a high-protein, no-grain, low-carb snack that will keep you satisfied for a long time. If only the loaf lasted a long time, too! Haha.

If you’re lucky enough to have a Trader Joe’s near you, see if they carry almond meal. I’ve been using one bag of it for this recipe, which is exactly 4 cups, and makes it really easy to buy.

If not, any health food store around you should carry it ~ it’s also called almond flour!

And if you make this with any changes, I’d LOVE to hear what you did! We’re always on the lookout for yummy, grain-free breads around here, so please share! Have a wonderful weekend!

Almond Apple Cinnamon Bread (Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, No Sugar Added)

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup granulted stevia or erythritol
• 4 cups almond meal / almond flour
• 1 cup applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl until thoroughly incorporated.
3. Oil a 9×5 bread pan with coconut oil.
4. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
5. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy!

Adjust the recipe as necessary for your needs and tastes. You can determine the nutritional content of your final product using Recipe Calculator.

Do you have a favorite low-carb treat?

Photo by Genista via Flickr

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good blog! Whether you’re a new reader or one who’s been with me since the beginning, thank you thank you thank you for sticking with this project! If you’ve been playing along, I hope you are feeling wonderfully happy, healthy, and balanced. What a great end to the year and a healthy introduction to 2013.

This week’s tip — the final one for this project! — is really to set the intention to stay present and in the moment as often as you can remember.

Join me in making Be Here Now be your mantra for 2013.

Life is precious and fleeting. Modern lifestyles are distracting and escapist. Bring it back down, get grounded, live in your body…

Be Here Now — and watch how your world unfolds.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and stay tuned for more fun stuff, goodies, healthy tips, tasty treats, and more in the new year! And to all a good night!

Lots of love,

~Andrea xo

This week’s tip is one that sounds easy in theory but that many people find very hard. Doing nothing pushes the Reset button on your mind, body, and spirit. It is essential for natural health and beauty to learn to do nothing.

By doing nothing, I mean doing nothing.

Not zoning out in front of the TV “nothing.” Not Pinterest / Facebook / Tumblr / Twitter “nothing.” Not meditating “nothing.” Just NOTHING.

Sit or lie down.

Stare into space.

Do nothing.

Don’t set a timer. Don’t think of this as an exercise. Don’t think of this as pampering or relaxation or “me time” or anything.

It’s not anything. It’s nothing.

Just do nothing.

Can you do it?

~Andrea xo

Image by sazztastical via Flickr

Image by sazztastical via Flickr

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

Building core strength is essential for maintaining good posture, preventing injury, and moving with grace and ease. Without a strong core, the body becomes dependent on the limbs, causing overcompensation and misalignment. By strengthening the muscles of your abdomen, torso, and lower- to mid-back, you also strengthen your spine and abdominal organs. There’s a saying in yoga and Pilates: You’re as young as your spine is flexible. Well, you’re also as young as your core is strong!

One way to keep your spine flexible AND your core strong is to practice a move called Rolling Like a Ball.

Rolling Like a Ball massages the spine and builds control. It helps you to learn how to move from your core outward, which makes everyday movement and grace just a bit easier. By keeping your spine in a C-curve throughout the move, you will strengthen your abdominal muscles. You will also improve your balance and concentration.

It can take some time to practice this exercise with precision and ease. Be patient. If you have a tight lower back, be sure to practice a modified version until your flexibility has increased. Never force the movement; only go as far as your body will allow. However, it’s important to practice this move regularly for the most benefits; once or twice a day. By creating a rhythmic flow, you will eventually find this move to be relaxing and fun!

Stuff to Know:

• Practice this move on a thickly padded or carpeted surface.
• If your back is stiffer, hold onto your thighs instead of your ankles.
• Keep your eyes focused on your navel throughout the move.
• Keep your shoulders relaxed throughout the move.
• Synchronize your breath with your movement.
• Yoga and Pilates should be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, standard medical and therapeutic procedures. If you have any medical or health concerns, please consult a medical professional before practicing.
• Avoid practicing this pose if you have a back injury, degenerative disk disease, or a recent or chronic injury to your hips or knees.
• Keep your breath smooth and even. Do not hold your breath.
• Be extraordinarily gentle!
• If you feel any sharp, pinching, or jabbing pain anywhere in your body during the move, stop and come out of it slowly. Never force the movement.

How to Practice Rolling Like a Ball:

1. Begin seated at the top of your mat. Bend your knees in toward your chest and hold onto your ankles. Extend your elbows and press your heels together. If you can’t clasp your ankles, hold onto your shins and bend your elbows slightly.
2. Pull your navel toward your spine, strongly engaging your abdominal muscles.
3. Spread your knees slightly, then lift your feet off the mat to balance on your tailbone.
4. Tuck your chin slightly and gaze at your navel. Round your spine into the shape of a “C”.
5. Breathe in and rock backward onto your spine, while maintaining the C-curve of your upper body. Sink your belly in deeply as you roll back and keep your head slightly lifted off the floor. Lift your hips high and point your toes toward the ceiling.
6. Exhale as you rock forward to the starting position, again keeping your spine rounded and your chin tucked. Balance on your tailbone when you come up; don’t rest your feet on the mat.
7. Repeat up to 10 times.

Do you practice Pilates?

Do you ever roll on your spine?

Photo by zoetnet via Flickr

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

A book that I consider foundational in helping to nurture my creative side is Julia Cameron‘s classic, The Artist’s Way. I remember reading it back in college and feeling like I had permission not only to be as creative as I wanted to be, but to thrive as an artist and as an adult.

One of her tips that has stuck with me all these years is to take an “artist date” with yourself. An artist date is a weekly, solo excursion doing something that will nurture, encourage, inspire, and replenish your creative self.

An artist date does not have to be “artistic”! It doesn’t mean you have to visit a museum if you don’t feel like it. All it means is to take a couple of hours to explore something that truly interests you. Some great ideas include:

• Check out (yes) a museum or art gallery
• See an independent film or theater performance
• Go see some live, local music
• Browse a bookstore or craft store
• Visit an arboretum or botanic garden
• Surround yourself with a pile of photography books at the library
• Bring a sketchbook to a park
• Write a letter to a friend
• Choose a theme and Instagram it like crazy (the color blue; circles; smiles; etc. )
• Discover cool street art in your neighborhood
• Go on a lazy, slow bike ride
• Take $10 to the dollar store or a hardware store. Create something with whatever you buy there.

I still have my dog-eared, underlined, well-worn copy of The Artist’s Way from college and I flip through it every once in a while for inspiration. If you have never read it, I do highly recommend checking it out. It’s a classic read that will never go out of style, and is a wonderful dedication to yourself as a well-rounded human.

Do you ever take an artist date?

What’s your favorite way to encourage your creative side?