Cocoa for C

Yesterday, a wonderful client of mine was over at my home office. Let's call her "C".

C is about to finish her sessions with me and since we started back in December 2010- she has lost 14 pounds! Much more importantly though is her whole new shift in her relationship with food. When we began, she was fighting post-baby weight,  exhaustion and the battle with food- that so many feel.

All I could hope for her- has been laid in place. She has turned the corner and now looks to food to nourish, fuel and enjoy. Her new food lifestyle is in place- with her young son who is now crazy for brown rice pasta, broccoli and wholesome food. He now will eat real food in its beautiful natural form- no longer having his scrambled eggs dyed green with food coloring to make them "more appealing" as C once made for him (yes...that is the truth!).

C was never comfortable in the kitchen- but now realizes the true joy she feels from creating nutritious and delicious food, with fresh herbs and whole ingredients. Her family has also made a real turn around by jumping onboard by adopting her better food habits. Now C has a beautiful radiance to her, that was so lacking a few months back. Her body is getting strong through yoga and strength training. I am so thrilled- like a proud mama.

Dessert is still such a want not only for C, for many that are on a path to better eating. When I first started C's transformation, we did away with dessert taking realistic baby steps. She went from eating rich desserts laden with refined sugars to Vitalicious Muffin Tops. I felt however that she was ready to make even better sweet choices and have fun making her own treats. So yesterday we made raw, vegan Cocoa Crunch Balls. This recipe is so simple and so yummy!! They are great to eat when looking to satiate that craving for something sweet after lunch or dinner.  I love them with a cup of tea or with almond milk warmed with a few drops of vanilla cream stevia and cinnamon. Divine! I urge you to try making these yourself. You will not be disappointed.  xo ginny

Cocoa Crunch Balls
2 cups raw unsalted almonds (sprouted- soak in water for 6 hours to overnight)
1 1/2 tsp sea salt or to taste
2 vanilla bean innards, scraped
1 1/2 cups pitted dates
3/4 organic cocoa powder
1 tbsp agave syrup or to taste
1/4 cup brown rice crispies (optional)

1. Chop/blend in a food processor until all ingredients are finely chopped and makes a thick 'paste'
2. Roll into small balls and put into small paper dessert cups (optional- roll balls in organic shredded coconut or cinnamon!)
3. Enjoy!

Keeps in the refrigerator for about 6 days or 3 months in freezer.

Getting Better

After the GinnyBakes oven mitts come off, the juicer stops whirring, and the boys and Miss Bear and Sam the cat are all happily fed- I retreat into what I love. Researching, constantly learning, reading and getting in touch with the lives of all of my clients. As a certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor, I see several clients for private consultations on a weekly basis.  Each one is so unique and so characteristically different in their needs.

My knowledge of holistic nutrition and positive life coaching and self-improvement has been a life long one, gained not only from my wonderful schooling at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition- but my own life experiences, travels, life choices, readings and overall intuitiveness about the human spirit. And I am so blessed and thankful each day that I am helping others make positive changes in their lives. Changes that help themselves, their families all for the better.

One client, after one of our sessions- heard a song by the Beatles and it brought on a new meaning to her more than ever before. She shared the song and her thoughts with me and I admittedly feel honored, flattered, but most of all- so proud and happy that she was feeling so great!

I am so happy and blessed to be part of her journey to better health and wellness. Thank you!
xo ginny

"Getting Better" by the Beatles

It's getting better all the time
I used to get mad at my school (this I feel is my old patterns of eating and living)
The teachers who taught me weren't cool 
You're holding me down, turning me round
Filling me up with your rules.
I've got to admit it's getting better
A little better all the time
I have to admit it's getting better
It's getting better since you've been mine. (my health coach)
Me used to be a angry young (wo)man
Me hiding me head in the sand
You gave me the word
I finally heard
I'm doing the best that I can.

I've got to admit it's getting better

I used to be cruel to my woman (my body)
I beat her and kept her (my body) apart from
the things that she loved
Man I was mean but I'm changing my scene
And I'm doing the best that I can.
I admit it's getting better
A little better all the time
Yes I admit it's getting better
It's getting better since you've been mine
Getting so much better all the time!

love your life!

My clients come to see me initially about food, and yet food frequently is just the beginning of our discussions. I am so frequently asked what about cravings... a craving is frequently your soul talking to you, perhaps you are lonely, bored, too stressed, tired or angry.

Try to start to look into yourself to understand why you crave. Perhaps if it happens everyday at the 4pm slump, your nutrient profile is not keeping up with your physical needs. I do not mean your calorie intake, but rather the quality of your food.

Maybe your relationships need adjustments. If you are a female,  has your identity been overtaken by the label wife and mom? Who are you? Do you have enough in your life just for you? I will tell you something from my own life, at times when my 4 boys were young it could be very overwhelming. They were six years apart top to bottom and life at moments was too much. I used to believe I had to be perfect, that was who I expected myself to be and was brought up to always show a proper facade. I lived up to that til the day I fell down a dozen stairs in the house rushing to make dinner. I was never so relieved not to have a baby in my arms at that moment.   I finally learned in an awakening moment that perhaps pizza and pajama nights have a great place in life.

Not only did I discover pizza nights, I also learned each of us needs a place to crawl into that no one in our daily lives has to be part of. For me it was a hovel of a yoga studio with a master teacher. It was my oasis, my home for an hour each morning, my sanity. It didn't make me less of a wife and mom, instead it gave my family and myself the gift of a strong impassioned woman who adored herself and her family and could give more because I saved some for myself.

A marriage like everything else needs major tune ups as do our jobs.
Are you passionate, happy? It is the start of the year, a beautiful time to reevaluate.

For myself my 21 day challenge has me re-looking at everything going on in my life. I am questioning mysef more, feeling more radiant and full of blessings. I feel strong, cravings are not part of my life lately and life has a feeling of wellbeing. Good nutrition and introspection does that, throw in the exercise and what bliss. xo ginny