*Brownies!*

You might be thinking "Brownies?! Did she say brownies?!" Yep! Since most standard desserts no longer fit into our way of eating I've done lots of searching for "guilt-free" healthy desserts (like the Coconut Cake); mostly raw, gluten-free and always nutrient dense. Recently I came across a recipe for  raw brownies that looked amazing and even better there were only 5 ingredients for both the brownies and the frosting!

Here's what you'll need:

15 mins

Brownies:

1c Walnuts

1c Dates

4Tbs Raw Cacao powder

Frosting:

2Tbs Coconut Butter

1Tbs Raw Honey

1/2Tbs Raw Cacao powder

Raspberries, strawberries or other fruit of choice to top.

Using a blender (Blendtec/ Vitamix) or food processor, grind walnuts until they form a "flour." Add dates and cacao until mixture sticks together and there are no large chunks. Remove and press into a pie dish or small shallow pan. Place coconut butter, honey and cacao into blender/ processor and mix until smooth. Spread on top of brownies. Refrigerate for 10 minutes and enjoy!

The first batch I made was fabulous and disappeared rather quickly. Second time I decided to double the recipe. YUM! Definitely enough to share with friends and family so this time I didn't have to feel so greedy ;) Even "guilt-free" desserts have to be enjoyed in moderation (waaaa!), but I definitely don't mind my kiddos having these for dessert or afternoon snack or even a morning snack! These little brownies pack a punch with healthy fats and loads of minerals essential to growing a strong mind and healthy immune system.

*Word Wednesday*

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt



(c)  Shannon Shakaya Leone



*Great Health Debate*

It's not too late to register for this free event! 14 subject matter experts go head to head on diet and nutrition. I'm super excited for this event as I have thoroughly study the work of most these experts over the last several years.

The discussion will be available for 24hrs after each recording so don't worry if you can't make the "live" time.

Register now for this life changing Great Health Debate! 

*Weekend of Cravings!*

Okay, so actually I've been wanting sweets all week. As much as I avoid standard desserts (ie. non-organic, sugar laden, etc) I gave into a cookie at our SuperBowl potluck on Friday. EW! YUK! What was I thinking?! I would never let my kids near those things so why would I even consider it?! One bite and it went in the trash. Ok, time to get control over the "emotional" eating. I will say I'm glad I have come far enough in my nutritional journey that my body, my tastes buds, immediately reject anything that is not nourishing.

I decided I HAD to make some fabulous nourishing guilt-free treats this weekend. I started with a Coconut Cake with Coconut- Honey Frosting! Delish! My inspiration came from this recipe over at Nourished Kitchen. Although I opted for a single layer cake and cut the recipe in half. I even added some shredded coconut on top for decoration. After about an hour in the kitchen I had created a wonderfully yummy treat that was completely gluten-free, sugar-free, and guilt-free!

My boys (all 3 of them) really enjoyed this special treat. I don't bake much and we rarely have dessert; unless of course it is raw ice cream! But this was a treat I didn't feel bad serving them. I knew they wouldn't be bouncing of the walls in five minutes. They even had a tiny bit with breakfast! Kids need fat in their diet. Good nourishing fats, and this treat has just that!

This recipe is high in fiber thanks to the coconut flour, protein rich and just sweet enough. The frosting is higher in fat due to the coconut butter, but it is "good" fat. You know those medium chain fatty acids that are hard to find in other "fatty" foods? ;)

Today I'm off to make some raw vegan brownies. This last year I made raw vegan chocolate cupcakes with coconut frosting for both boy's birthdays and they were a hit. The recipe I'm trying today will be a little different and has a chocolate frosting, but still looks totally delectable! 

*Finally*

So, finally, here I am! After the name for my blog came to me rather quickly and only taking few days of playing graphic designer to create my banner I've been "sitting" on this blog for several months. *Note: I'm a bit of a perfectionist ;)* My intention was to create a place where I can share with parents all my learning and experiences with wellness- total health and well-being, body, mind and spirit for the whole family. This surge of creativity and inspiration had me in whirlwind, and then it happend. Block. What?! My enthusiasm never really dwindled I just suddenly felt stuck. You know, like a clogged drain where so much is trying to come out it just gets "stuck." But I knew if I unplugged it too fast the contents of my mind would spew in an ever confusion gush and I would be at a loss for my balance and harmony. Sounds dramatic right? LOL Truthfully as I write this now I realize it was fear that caused my "block." Fear of not being as good as the rest of  writers I follow in blog-o-sphere. Fear of being the newbie. Fear that no one would read or like what I have to share. One of my favorite movitating phrases is "If I wasn't afraid of _____, I would_____", and here I was letting fear hold me back. One of the biggest challenges in life is overcoming our fears no matter how big or small. If I expect my children to grow into confident teenagers and then adults I first have to be that example. I have something to offer the world and that's why I am here!

I am primarily self-taught, although I have taken a few classes, on the matters of food, nutrition, herbalism, and early childhood education. When I first became obessed with these subjects I thought I needed to go back to school. Which I tried. Who was I kidding? Honestly, where was I to find the time and concentration capabilities when my family of 4 already has a crazy schedule?! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE learning new things, but it just didn't work with my life at the time. I have also come to realize I don't need fancy credentials to share my knowledge, which is based on the hundreds of books I've scoured, teleseminars I've listened to, my intuition and my experimentation. Isn't there a saying that experience is our best teacher? I encourage everyone one I know to be self-motivated and self-educated. Someone can teach you everything they know, but you have to be the one who learns and integrates that knowledge. So as the guy from Reading Rainbow would say: "Of course, you don't have to take my word for it..." My goal is for the information and thoughts I share to be motivating and provoking.

My life, like everyone else's, has been complex and unique. My experiences and choices have shapped the person I am today. That person is ever evolving. I will never stop learning. I will never stop growing. My kiddos remind me of this everyday. They also keep me flexible- mentally and physically ;) No one told me 6 years ago that I'd become a human jungle gym! Good thing my husband is tall and strong... he serves this purpose better than I do!

I hope you enjoy what you see on this blog, and join me in this journey called life.

To Health and Happiness!

*As of April 2011, I am back in school! Attending the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts for their Mind-Body Wellness/ Transformational Psychology program specializing in Nutrition.