Thursday, December 3, 2009

It's Party time...unconscious eating not allowed!

The season has arrived as its the first week of December....
It comes right at us quick as we pull ourselves out from the
thanksgiving day leftovers and then bam, we're full swing in December!

As I came out of the closet this week and declared I love December!
And not for reasons that one would thing....gifts are great,YES, but
the energy that is everywhere during the whole month is powerful and I LOVE it!

I'm not one to go on overload with too many parties, gift stress etc... or too much excess of anything... I take things nice and slow and reflect on the season, the feelings, the connection of people, the smells and most of course, my favorite, a whole month of BLING everywhere!
From lights, to glimmer, to sparkles, to pazazz, its oozing out of every experience,its a bedazzler everywhere I go! (My only question is why can't we have the SHINE all year long?! (he-he) Stay tuned, as I reveal how this might be possible and probably not like you think!)

As the next few weeks unfold, I do know it gets super busy for many as well as super stressful!
I hope that all of you check out the article below and check back throughout the month as I will be posted all of my HOT finds and hints in order to THIRVE this holiday season and allow you to tap into some of that super Sparkly energy everywhere you go like me!

We'll begin with a biggie.... how to avoid the holiday over-eating blues-this article is definitely not the typical tips some beauty magazine gives you BUT a real deep look at overcoming this issue that dominates people for 6 weeks of gluttony and overindulgence.

Stay conscious with us, stay present & enjoy!
Cheers,
Lisa

P.S. the writer, Christine Kane, is amazing and has a great blog as well. I enjoy her STYLE of living!

How to Avoid the Holiday Over-Eating Blues
by Christine Kane

Office parties. Family gatherings. Neighborhood open-houses. Like it or not, holiday time is party time!

Since the season is here, I want to introduce you to a concept that might just make your holidays a little more enlightened:

Nervous Food.

Nervous Food is my name for any edible thing we shove into our mouths when we're in social situations. Not because we WANT it. But because it's there.

Like the mushroom caps stuffed with Alpo. (Okay, maybe it's not Alpo. But it sure looks like Alpo!) Or the crab puffs that we snarf down, as Hal from HR recites the latest office policy on Instant Messaging.

First, let me be clear: this is not about diets or weight-loss.

This is about going unconscious. Checking out. Distracting yourself.

It's about leaving your present-moment awareness back in the comfort of your quiet home.

Here are a few techniques to help you stay conscious and connected in any social situation. Try them, and you might discover that you leave parties feeling energized and purposeful. Not stuffed and buzzed.

1 - Take a pre-party temperature reading.

Take your "temperature" about social settings.

Are you uncomfortable at parties? Do you eat food without tasting it? Can you talk about anything with anyone? Or do you prefer an intense conversation with one or two people? Do you often feel left out or uneasy? Do you try to be in the know?

There are no right answers. This is to simply get clear about your desires and behaviors, and to honor that clarity. Self-awareness is the starting point.

2 - Set your intentions.

Prior to any social situation, set intentions.

What does this mean?

This means that you create your experience before you walk through the door of the event. It means that YOU set the tone for your whole evening.

Do this before you leave your house. Or while sitting in your car outside the party.

Simply intend who you will BE and what you will DO at this event.

Some examples:

I'm a great listener. I truly taste the food I eat. I delight in other people's passions and interests. I have lots of fun without overindulging. I attract the perfect conversations. I am loved.

Your intention is powerful and will act as sort of a beacon to guide you during the party.

3 - Give yourself permission to say NO.

Most of us say a knee-jerk "yes" to every invitation we get without asking ourselves if we really want to go.

Saying no doesn't mean you're saying no to the party or the people. It might mean that you're saying "yes" to yourself.

Maybe you need to go to bed early. Or you want to spend a quiet night writing in your journal.

Sometimes we eat out of distractedness and nervousness because our deepest desires aren't being met. When we ignore our true desires, we might try to compensate by filling up on "shadow desires." Shadow desires often come in the form of food and alcohol.

4 - Attract, Don't Push.

Parties can be highly charged. Sometimes we walk through that door and instantly feel ourselves trying to "measure up," or prove ourselves to anyone who seems hip.

If you're familiar with this behavior, try this technique:

Stop and take a breath. Intend that you attract the perfect people to you. Do it with a sense of service, and trust.

Attraction is a powerful principle. You might be amazed at how effortless the party becomes, and how surprising the conversations are! You might hear the perfect solution to a personal challenge. Or you might be an angel to someone who needs a listening ear.

5 - Become an Alcohol-Free Observer.

Recently, I opted out of drinking the perfunctory glass of wine at a dinner party. I chose to be present and to simply observe. I actively listened to people and observed the conversations all around me. Not in an aloof way, but in a deep way. I had a great time!

Try it. Forego the alcohol and become an observer. Quietly and non-judgmentally witness your behavior. See how actively you can listen in conversations. Really taste the food on your plate. You might discover a whole new definition of fun!
-----
Yes, I know that this is not your typical magazine advice on holiday overeating. But it does work! You really can let the holidays and the Nervous Foods teach you a thing or two about how to create awareness and space, rather than anxiety and over-eating!



Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 8,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Savor the Flavor of Quinoa this holiday season!








Quinoa-- pronounced Keen-wah....
is an ancient grain that does everything rice does but WAY better!
Plus, its gluten-free! Below is a great recipe that I've whipped up plenty of times in my workshops and is a staple in my diet at least a few times a week. The beauty of quinoa is that it can be used sooo many different ways, however don't get carried away and create the garbage quinoa salad as a little spicin' up goes a long way. Many have asked for a healthy dish that can be shared during the holiday season thats light, tasty and perhaps everyone may end up loving! (if you can get them to at least try it) So here's my top pick of the season.
Also, check out below for the nutritional make-up of quinoa.You may not want to share that with the family as there's some weird thing that when its good for you people are less apt to try it! Why is that? So as a suggestion, for sure, keep 'em fooled with this fabulous taste sensation!
P.S. DISCLAIMER--some think my recipes appear complex in writing, however, I am really spelling it out for you with the exact steps, plus things I've learned, tips I've got. Don't be hung up on the amount of words, its only to really give you the full picture, which most recipes do not!Try it and see just how easy it is!

1) Steam quinoa in rice cooker or in pan on stove( like rice)
2 to 1 ratio as in 2 cups water for every 1 cup quinoa*
(* this is approximate as every pan , steamer is a little different plus dependent on your desired consistency of the cooked quinoa. I prefer it not "sticky and mushy" which can happen if too much water is used)

2) BASIC recipe( for quinoa to actual taste good)
Begin with 2 cups steamed quinoa
once cooled down from steamer( like warm to touch)
FOLD in:
1/4 cup extra virgin oil( or split with other culinary cold pressed oil-I love it with walnut oil)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon high end pristine sun dried salt( my preference-sun fire salt)
pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Mix all together.

3)VARIETY options-
from here you can build... select different spices, seasonings, herbs, nuts veggies etc...
Here's a sure bet below for additions that compliment each other and create an amazing dish
(as with anything, overload of too much stuff ends up tasting icky!)

Begin with the Basics recipe above, fold in:
1/4 cup pine nuts( or other nut such as walnuts)
1/4 cup currents
a few basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped flat parsley
1 TBSP finely shredded mint
1/2 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
*optional crumbled feta or raw goat cheese
Blend all together.
Serve warm or cold

Here's the stats!
Complete protein- Quinoa contains alll 9 essential amino acids that are required by the body as building blocks for muscles
Magnesium--Quinoa contains high levels of this vital nutrient which helps relax your muscles and blood vessels plus sooo much more.
Fiber-Quinoa is a great fiber source that helps ease elimination and tones you colon.

Enjoy! And be sure to let me know how it goes!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Healthy Holiday Entertaining: Fiesta Mole Dip


I know firsthand how hard it can be to eat healthy around the holidays. My mom is a phenomenal chef, but very old school, the idea of making something without butter or cream cheese is just completely off the wall to her. My brother and sister even jokingly refer to her holiday cuisine as the “butter-bration!”

When I first shifted my consciousness towards food, I struggled with what to do during the holidays, at parties and social gathers. Now I come prepared with a dish that I can enjoy, feel good about sharing and will please even the pickiest eaters. I wanted to share one of these knockout dishes with you, my Fiesta Mole Dip. It’s creamy, flavorful, packed with superfoods and perfect with crackers, veggies or as a creamy salad dressing.

Fiesta Mole Dip:

In blender, add:

½ cup pine nuts

1 garlic clove

Juice of 1 lime

Blend and slowly fold in appr. ½ cup water (may need to add in a little more water to create desired consistency)

Stop blender and add:

1 fresno pepper for a kick(optional)

4 tb Fiesta Mole superfood mix( a powerful mix of heirloom tomato concentrate, flax seeds, maca, hemp seeds, chiles, peppers and an exotic array of spices-has loads of minerals and nutrients that beef up flavor and nutrition of any dish)

Blend again until mole is mixed well into pine nut cream

Makes 1 cup and will last in fridge 3-4 days. In the photo above, dip is sandwiched between raw flax crackers, sprouts and garnished with a tomato.


The Top 6 Superfoods for the Season

With the chill of winter, stress of the holidays and unhealthy food at social gatherings, it's easy to see why weight gain goes up and energy levels go down this time of year. So, we've put together a list of the six essential products to keep you energetic, slim and glowing into 2010 and beyond.


Chocolate Bliss- The Supercharger
Keep mineralized this season and fuel the body with a powerful combination of 22 superfoods.
Chocolate Bliss will keep you energized through shopping sprees, turn you into the life of the party and minimize cravings. Kiss those holiday cookie binges goodbye!


Phytoplankton- The De-Stresser
Stressed? Anxious? Got a bad case of the holiday blues? Keep this little gem on hand for daily drops of de-stressing. Marine phytoplankton helps enhance mood by getting the seratonin levels up and gives you the focus needed to accomplish all the tasks on your to-do list.


Enzymes- The Quick Fix
Okay, so we're not a fan of quick fixes, but we just can't deny the miraculous ability of enzymes to supercharge your digestion in minutes. Keep these in your purse at all times and simply pop a few before that cocktail party, big feast with the family and any other time you get ready to eat. Never use the lame excuse, "but it's the holidays" again.


Vitamin C- Get the Glow
Want to truly sparkle and shine? Get the glow from the inside out with naturally occuring Vitamin C. This beauty mineral, derived from a selection of super powerful exotic fruits, helps produce collagen to keep your skin naturally soft and supple. Plus, you'll get an extra boost of protection from nasty winter cold bugs and the flu.


Vanilla Agave- The Sweet Deal
Got a sweet tooth? Use this top of the line sweetener as your saving grace. Add in coffee, teas, elixirs and use in desserts as a replacement for sugar. Heard agave was bad for you? Read this article on the difference truly raw, pristine agave nectar makes.


Fiesta Mole- The Flavor Saver
More than a spice or a seasoning, Fiesta Mole is like the spice of life! Considered the savory sister of Chocolate Bliss, Fiesta Mole is a must to have in any kitchen for quickly adding intense flavor, mineralization and sensation to any dish this season. Use in salads, dressings, dips, soups and more.

For ordering any of the above, or for more information
call 312-543-3735 or email info@ecoluxelifestyles.com
you can also check out our past blog post that features our SALE info,
product description & ordering info.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

In the kitchen...



This picture, a behind the scenes cellphone shot taken at our Taste the Lifestyle event, features the signature ecoLUXE masterpiece in minutes salad, a steamed quinoa dish…and we weren’t even done plating! We’ve been very busy in the kitchen perfecting the recipes for the lifestyle series. Adding a pinch of Sunfire Salt here, a dash of Fiesta Mole there and finishing everything with a nice touch of Pristine Hemp Seeds. The official series kicks off on Sunday and if you think this picture looks good, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The Chocolate Bliss Ingredient List

So, what exactly is in Chocolate Bliss?

We could go on and on about how great Chocolate Bliss makes us feel or write catchy songs to sing its praises, but everyone wants to know, what exactly is in bliss? Click on the image below to read about all 21 superfood ingredients and their medicinal properties found in each bag of Bliss. Try to emulate if you dare, but you’ll need much more than tablespoon measurer to get the perfect mix together (unless you’re some sort of superfood genius alchemist).