Spring Cleaning!

Spring cleaning is a great way to rejuvenate and clean the mind, body and home. Everyone gets a great feeling of relief and accomplishment after they have cleaned their homes for the spring season. We remove clutter, dust, get rid of crap that has accumulated over winter hibernation, open the windows for fresh air and switch thick wool sweaters out for light sun dresses. Why not spring clean your mind and body at the same time? Think green! Before cleaning your home from top to bottom, replace all cleaning products with eco friendly ones. Seventh Generation has reasonably priced, non toxic cleaning products that are not harmful to the environment. Add more greens to your diet: daffodil, swiss chard, kale, spinach, arugula. Go to your nearest hardware store or gardening center and purchase potted herbs to keep in your kitchen. They make your place smell great and taste much better then dried herbs :) Move around! Make sure to take 20 minutes out of your day to enjoy the outdoors in addition to your regular exercise. Whether it's a walk in the park at dawn or a stroll around your neighborhood with your dog in the evening. 20 minutes outside of non strenuous activity is a great way to unwind and reflect. Another great thing that I love after spring cleaning is making a little shrine. This is not a religious thing at all. I have a table in the corner that gets great light, I put pictures and talismans of importance on it. I add fresh flowers and scented candles and take time to meditate near it for a couple of minutes each day. I find that looking at things that make me smile and smelling relaxing scents decompresses me. Spring has sprung and its time to remove all the winter clutter from mind, body and home.

Warm Toasty Coconut Rice Pudding with Grilled Mango

Coconut Rice Pudding With Grilled Mango

Ingredients:

1 cup of jasmine rice

2 cups of water

2 1/2 cups of skim milk or soy milk

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk

2 tablespoons grated coconut

2 tablespoons agave nectar

1 half ripe mango

In a medium pot combine the rice and water, bring to a boil and let simmer for 15 minutes. Add milk, coconut milk, agave and coconut and stir slowly on low heat for 15 minutes. Slice mango into thin strips and grill until they are soft and slightly charred around the edges. Spoon pudding into bowls and add a few strips of mango to each and viola! A tasty, quick dessert!

Foods to fight belly flab.

Yesterday was a scorching 90 degrees in NYC (this is unheard of in April). Some of us might notice we are carrying a little something extra around our waist. The dreaded belly flab! I too am guilty of not doing as much ab work in the winter months. Now that it is warm and we are all going to be wearing much less as summer approaches we need to get rid of that belly flab. I have compiled a list of foods that fight belly fat, but I must say that the most important thing is sleep. Add these foods into your diet daily, get lots of sleep, work your core and lay off the beer.

1. Avocado (contains monounsaturated fat. It helps prevent deposition of fat around the middle)
2. Green tea (phytochemicals speed up metabolism)
3. Whole grains (keep insulin levels low)
4. Egg Whites (protein keeps you feeling fuller longer)
5. Vinegar (helps your body burn fat)
6. Dark leafy greens (high in b vitamins. Keeps you energized throughout the day)
7. Water. Water. Water (enough said)
8. Lemon (use to replace fatty dressing and marinades)
9. Beans (full of fiber that fights belly bloat and keeps your fuller longer)
10. Raspberries (high in ketone which helps fight fat)

Close to my heart :)

Please take a look at these websites if you are an animal lover :) I adopted my lovely yet dopey Dog from the North Shore Animal League and cannot praise them enough!

http://www.nsalamerica.org/

http://www.humanesociety.org/