Let's be Mindful In May!
You probably know me well by now. Well enough to know that I never sit still, I can barely turn my brain off for two seconds let alone meditate for 20 minutes or more.
Believe me, it's not for lack of trying. I've tried taking part in meditation programs before, I've tried taking downtime and creating my own routines, but it's never really stuck. This time I want to make it a little different. For just 10 minutes a day for the month of May this worldwide guided meditation program is all in aid of charity. It ticks all the boxes and so maybe, just maybe this is my time.
I'd love for you top join me too. I have created an 'Including Cake' team page and it would be amazing if you would join my team and donate a few pennies to the cause whilst taking part in your very own guided meditation for just 10 minutes a day.
Aside from those 10 minutes, 'Mindful in May' is about raising our awareness in everyday life. Finding pockets of silence, of appreciation, of embracing nature, of the simple things. Seeking gratitude in all that we have.
These are three areas in which I would like to focus my mindfulness this month:
- Eating with gratitude (slowing down and using all of my senses).
- Being more appreciative of nature and spending time outside.
- Saying thank you and verbalising my gratitude to others.
What three things would you like to become more mindful of? I'd love to hear what you think regardless of whether you decide to sign up yourself or even join my team. I think any opportunity to become more mindful is always a positive step!
"Mindful in May is a one month global, online mindfulness meditation challenge that brings the benefits of meditation together with an opportunity to contribute to bringing clean, safe drinking water to those living in the developing world. It’s just ten minutes a day of guided meditation from the 1st of May. The program, created by founder Dr Elise Bialylew, includes weekly audio meditation downloads, exclusive interviews with leading experts in the field of meditation, wellbeing, and wisdom and cutting edge science to keep you connected to your challenge."
Create a clear mind for you and clean water for others.
It’s a no brainer.
www.mindfulinmay.org
Come and join my team here!
Ramp up the Red.... for the British Heart Foundation!
Ramp up the Red!! Today is the official British Heart Foundation fundraising day.
Heart disease is the no. 1 cause of death in the UK and US, so it's a cause that is dear to the hearts of many who have been affected. It is also an integral part of why I do what I do... diet has such a huge influence on heart disease and by educating and inspiring healthy nutritional habits I hope that in time this number decreases.
At the weekend I was invited to take part in a charity photo shoot in aid of this great cause.... as you may have guessed, I was not one of the models but the provider of food! My Wholeplus goodies graced the venue and kept energy levels up all day long. It was a great day...plus being the photography geek I am I had fun taking lots of behind the scenes pics! I'd love to get into portrait photography- it's in a totally different arena to food. I still love food though... after all you don't get to eat the models when you're finished ;-)
Here is a photo of the team- check me out with my goodies in hand :-)
Another beautiful montage of the models shots released today prior to an exhibition in April. My good friend Roisin organise the event in memory of her father. She is raising money for the charity via the just giving link below... so just in case you felt so inclined to give a few pennies please click the image to go straight to the Just Giving page.
Oh and on the theme of red... I have a new recipe I developed just this afternoon. Perfect for today's theme and also for the upcoming 'festival of love' that is just round the corner. I will post the recipe in the next couple of days as I first need to do a second trial with a quick tweak to the recipe. Hold on....it' coming soon I promise.
I'd love you to join me in other places too!
Why not sign up for emails in my sidebar where I feature roundups and special offers. If you are new round here check out my 'About' and 'Getting Started' tabs up top. To buy nibbles you can also find me over at Wholeplus. Day to day you can also find me here:
No-bake vanilla pie bites
Last week I took part in the World's biggest Coffee Morning, this particular one was hosted by Barefoot Therapies.
There was soooo much cake of all varieties, of course I took some of my on treats along (front of photo) and they went down a storm and the kids loved them too. The bites I took was the mint choc and vanilla versions of my Wholeplus range presented in larger squares, plus some of the worlds healthiest truffles. It reminded me that i had made a batch of 'vanilla pie bites' a while back but had never got round to posting them...now is the perfect opportunity!
I've been making lots of smoosh bars in recent weeks and months, experimenting with lots of different flavour combinations. Another simple is often the best.
These mini vanilla pies are the simplest combination of ingredients and by squashing them into flattened balls instead of forming them into bars they become even more pie-like especially when dusted with a little extra coconut.
You really need to recipe but i'll give you one anyway, all you need is a decent food processor and not a particular powerful one at that. A pinch of salt will help the flavours pop but isn't necessary if you prefer to omit.
For free to make bars or any shape you wish, you could also keep it loose and crumbly for breakfast sprinkle topping if that's more your thing, perfect sprinkled over a plain nondairy yoghurt or over a bowl of morning oatmeal. The great thing about these bites is that they are nut free and so suitable for lunch boxes too!
Recipe: No-bake vanilla pie bites
Makes approx. 20
Ingredients:
250g dates
100g shredded coconut
50g oatmeal or ground buckwheat (or extra coconut)
2 tsp vanilla powder
pinch salt
Method:
Blend dates to form a chunky paste and then add all remaining ingredients and blend until sticky enough to form 'pies' press extra coconut onto the top if desired.
