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!

Processed Food...Not Good for You Not Good For Fido.

In early December, some of you may recall that I wrote about Miss Bear's detox. Miss Bear is our Newfoundland-Lab mix dog. She is 5 years old and is absolutely the sweetest thing ever. She has always battled allergies- but now I am happy to report that the lovely Miss Bear is looking so beautiful.

Her coat is shiny, she is so physically active, moving around like a young pup. Her secret? Her diet. She now thrives on a diet of raw ground organic beef, chicken, salmon and duck. Added to it is the discarded raw pulp of vegetables and fruits from my morning juicing. Miss Bear's diet keeps me very disciplined and happy knowing her health is tied to mine. Her weekly menu also consists of any combination of raw eggs, avocado, greek yogurt , sweet potato and a limited amount of quinoa or brown rice.

Spoiled? No! Healthy? yes!

Too often as pet owners we are lured into the notion that pets eat pet food. Out of convenience we opt for kibble then sometimes wonder why Spot is overweight, itchy, anxious or unhappy. I too played for years with various versions of hypoallergenic bagged foods before I got up the courage to take her health and well being as seriously as I do my own.

Within one week of cutting the bagged foods and feeding her simple real foods- her scratching stopped. Cold turkey. Coincidence, I definitely think not. And so this brings me to today's great article in the Dining section of the New York Times titled "Eat Table Food? Some Owners Say Pull Up a Chair".  The article further justifies that feeding your pets a natural diet of real foods vs. processed bagged/canned foods makes a world of difference to them.

Furthermore- if only we could realize how simple this formula is for our own health. As soon as we rid our bodies of processed, packaged foods- we will begin to see amazing results. Our energy increases, our skin glows and we feel happier. I guarantee it. It's not a matter of dieting. It's a simple matter of eating clean, real, foods.

Read the article and commit to getting your pets and yourself on a track to better health and vitality and think what wonders it can do for your own health.

Miss Bear gives the article two happy, healthy paws up!  xo ginny