focus on NOW

being the SPIRITUAL GANGSTER that i am 
i jumped on the 1 train this am to attended a YOGAWORKS level 1/2 vinyasa 
my eyes puffy from cat allergies
and my tushie soar from yesterday's BARRE CLASS.
breathing in the damp fall NYC air helped launch me forward

the 4 flight walk up to the 65th street yoga studio
made me question......why am i here again? 
should i just go get a gigantic 450 calorie scone & a pumpkin spiced latte?

COMMIT DAMNIT

i brought myself back to the work i have been doing 
wait just a minute! i know whats going on here!
IT HIT ME
the recognition of fighting what we need intinsticutally because it makes up uncomfortable
PONDER THAT.....can you remember a time you talked yourself out of something good?

the LANDMARK FORM taught me many things
of the most interesting was that when we start to tap into our subconscious our brains will try everything/anything to keep that for happening.  
the most common to almost SHUT OFF.  
during a prominent part of the seminar my teacher stated,
"this is the part where everyone starts yawning & falling asleep.  WHY? because we are getting into it.  we are staring to open the subconscious & unlock the part of your brain that keeps you in your habitual patterns" 

sometimes our brains will start talking to us about why we dont need to listen
we start wondering & making excuses.
has that ever happened to you?
it is MIND BLOWING when you catch yourself
even comical....you wonder if you have control at all.

last wk working with the great STEVEN GRIFFITH 
i caught myself about to yawn.....
WTF, oh no you DONT
then i noticed what my brain started saying to me,
"i dont want to do this anymore"
oh it gets better.....then i started telling myself
 "im not even listening" 
(steven, it only happened for about 15 seconds)
 then i mentally told myself to "F off"
and forced the hyper focus back into play.

the energy surrounding my idea of taking an amazing yoga class was lovely
all of a sudden i found myself fighting every step toward the studio 
my brain was even talking shit to myself during class
the teacher made the intention to focus on the PRESENT.

sitting cross legged on my yoga mat with a cozy blanket tucked under my sore tushie
i decided, if it comes up i will use that good old LANDMARK phrase
"THANK YOU FOR SHARING" and move back into being thankful for the PRESENT.

BRING MYSELF BACK TO NOW

TO WHERE I AM

in yoga, showing my body that i love it 

& will take care of it

it is as easy as being thankful for our breath, 
without it we wouldnt be here
being thankful for our healthy bodies, 
healthy minds & wherewithal to take care of yourself

some days are harder than others, but damn it 

I LOVE MY LIFE

why let a sore butt, a freaking cat, or even my brain change my mind

please dont allow yourself to be anything but thankful

find 5 if not 10 things every morning that you have gratitude for

WRITE THEM DOWN

it will ROCK YOUR WORLD, CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE & BUILD SELF LOVE

what makes a pancake a pancake?

when baking GLUTEN FREE and/or VEGAN the science behind specific ingredients in very important
with processed & packaged goods there tend to be more ingredients that are harder to pronounce.
these ingredients usually help with the freshness as well as the texture of the cookie/brownie/muffin.  specific ingredients change the texture & shape of baked goods, which is what really defines them

as i break down the recipes for ALPHA SWEETS CHEAT DAY TREATS
there is a flood of ideas & what ifs
this would be much easier if i could bake all the live long day & taste everything when i imagine it
BUT since i cannot afford the extra couple thosands of calories a day, the process takes a little longer

feel free to offer your TASTE TESTER SERVICES....
i always need helpful paletes. 

LEMON FRECKLE COOKIES

tart, sweet & speckled with poppy seeds

these flat silverdollar like morsels are to my liking when slightly browned at the edges

the texture & shape is almost of a pancake

should i rearrange some of the pieces to create a baked pancake?

do we need more delightful breakfast options in this book?

how can i tweak the recipe to keep the taste
but switch texture & prep to that of a pancake?

pan·cake

noun: pancake; plural noun: pancakes

1. a thin flat cake of batter, usually fried& turned in a pan 

WHAT MAKES A PANCAKE A PANCAKE?

PREP:MADE IN A PAN & FLIPPED

WHEN ITS EATEN: A BREAKFAST FOOD

 HOW IT IS SERVED: WITH BUTTER & SYRUP

IT LOOKS: FLAT & ROUND WITH GOLDEN EDGES 

THE TASTE : FLUFFY TEXTURE, MOIST & DOUGHY

RULES OF FLUFFINESS......

1. beaten egg whites added LAST

combine dry & wet ingredients separately, yolks can be added in with wet.  
once combined whites are last to join the whole mixture of ingredients.

2. IF YOU USUALLY USE WATER IN YOUR MIX TRY YOGURT OR BUTTERMILK & BAKING SODA
3. you can sub milk with ginger ale or seltzer for added fluffiness

4. dont over mix.....fold

5. 10-15 min rest period before cooking

most BAKED PANCAKES are referred to as a Dutch Baby, German Pancake or Yorkshire pudding.  I want to #changethegame go figure!

stay tuned for the book & more blogged recipes!

are you drooling yet? what do you have for breakfast?

 

 

a sweets sweet alternative

when you need something tasty 
& there's not an ALPHA SWEET in sight,
here's what cha do......

go grab some fruit!
nature's most pure form of sugar
will be sure to satisfy your cravings

i have some many found memories of 

popsicles, #OTTERPOPS or even "ice pops" 

as my family called them,

the chilling sweetness will scratch the dessert itch & leave you with a nice clean feeling that ice cream & cookies do not.

 

the Boschen ladies used to make our own with DIXIE CUPS during the hot NJ summers!

SUR LA TABLE as well as many other places have POPCILE MOLDS
you can fill them with fruit juices & berries for an explosion of flavor
you can fill them with sangria for a sweet buzz
you can even fill them with BNRG PROTOWHEY & Almond Milk will for a balanced post workout snack.

the possibilities are endless
get creative!

there is ALWAYS a healthy alternative you just have to be willing to look.

@JOSalphavenice #alphasweets - twitter

@alphavenice #alphasweets - instagram

facebook.com/alphasweets #amazing - the book