The Wonder Woman Challenge » Recipes

Stressed? Sugar Scrub It Away!

admin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:58:45 +0000

The other day I was having quite the stressful day going from task to task. It was time for a quick shower when I remembered my homemade sugar scrub. As soon as I opened it, the lovely aroma drifted from it’s container causing me to stop in my tracks. I could not help but pause, stand still while the water trickled down my body, close my eyes, and inhale the relaxing essentials oils.

In that moment my to do list did not matter. The crazy day did not matter. Nothing mattered but that moment of letting go as I tuned into my body. The stress quickly disappeared and as I used the scrub I noticed how awesome it felt … the scrubbies on my skin and then the silky, smooth, moisturized feel from the oil.

I was able to go about the rest of my day feeling so very lovely in body, mind, and spirit. I smelled great and my skin felt so lovely, even sexy!

This is self-nurture at its finest in my book!

So for me, making the sugar scrub is self-nurturing in and of itself because I love to be creative. And then, of course, every time I use it, it makes me feel so good especially when I take the time to tune into my body like I did this particular day.

I encourage you, whether you buy a scrub or make one, do give it a try and add a lovely sugar scrub shower or bath to your self-nurture practice.

Mint/Lavender Sugar Scrub

Mix together: Oil (any oil but I like organic sesame oil

because it absorbs into my skin nicely and it helps to

calm the nervous system.)

Sugar (Whatever you have on hand is fine. I used

regular white sugar here, but my favorite is raw sugar

because I like a little bigger grit).

Then add your favorite essential oils. I used spearmint,

peppermint, and lavender. Garnish is optional. I added

fresh mint leaves for eye appeal.

Enjoy!!

Chocolate with the Steelers!

admin — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:00:27 +0000

Girlfriend, I love chocolate just like most other women I know.

Today I decided to make a very healthy Chocolate Mousse for a treat. (Recipe below) It turned out that when I was ready for this yummy dessert, I was the only one in the house. My guys were all off watching the Steelers win (yay!) elsewhere leaving me at home alone, which by the way, I didn’t mind at all.

So while I had the Steelers game on I decided to turn something ordinary into something extra-ordinary turning dessert into a self-nurture activity.

I could have plopped this lovely chocolate dessert into a bowl and woofed it down, but I didn’t. Instead I used one of my cute tea for one sets accompanying the Chocolate Mousse with fresh fruit and Peppermint Herbal Tea, and I also used a tray lined with a pretty napkin. It truly was not much effort at all, but it was one that was special. We treat company special, why not treat ourselves special, right?

I am reminded of a note that I keep on my dream board that says, “Treating myself like a special object will make me strong.” Anytime we treat ourselves special we are making ourselves stronger because we are sending a message to our inner self that says we ARE special and valuable causing our spirit to lift and hopefully soar!

This activity is one you will want to add to your self-nurture practice. It is so simple to turn something ordinary like eating a snack into something extra-ordinary. It not only lifts the spirit, but it also can help you to de-stress especially when you allow yourself to be “in the moment”.

Note that I rarely spend a lot of money on something like a tea for one set. These types of things I typically stumble upon either on sale or at resale shops. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on stepping up your experience a notch or two.

By the way, this recipe and activity is great for Valentine’s Day!

Did you catch at the beginning that I said I made a “healthy” Chocolate Mouse? The ingredients will surprise you!

Chocolate Mousse

(From Lifestyle for Health Cookbook by Dr. Cheryl Townsley)

2 pkgs. Mori Nu “lite” Tofu, firm

1 to 1 1/2 cups Sunspire chocolate chips – or carob chips (I use a 12 oz bag)

1/4 cups honey – or sweetner

2 to 4 tbs. milk – or milk substitute

2 tsp vanilla

1. Melt chips being careful to not scorch them. 2. Blend tofu, honey, milk and vanilla in blender until smooth. 3. Blend melted chips into tofu in blender until smooth. 4. Chill mixture until firm. Store in refrigerator and use within five days.

Note: It needs to be chilled and set for best flavor.

Induldge & De-stress!

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:34:43 +0000

So you want to indulge in a treat … after all, this is the time of year where there are sweets and treats around every corner. This is also the time of the year when stress is higher than normal as discussed in my last article, “Avoid the Holiday Meltdowns”. With stress often comes over eating and/or binge eating.

I want to share a little trick I use to help curtail this kind of binge eating. Keep in mind that this “trick” I use does not address the root problem. That will be saved for another article. This really isn’t even a trick at all but more of a special treatment.

What I want to share with you today allows you to indulge in a healthier way that, if done properly with the right mindset, can actually be a self-care activity. It’s very simple and fun.

Decide on a treat that you really want. Don’t be mindless about it. For example I made Pumpkin Cream Cupcakes the other night. Oh my goodness! They are so good! (I’ve included the recipe below.) They remind me of the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins from Starbucks, which I love. I could easily eat several in one setting if I’m not careful, so to avoid that kind of a binge eating I create “a moment”.

As you can see in the picture above, I created a beautiful holiday setting for eating one (not two, three or even four!) Pumpkin Cream Cupcake. I watched a holiday movie in this setting but sometimes I will play soothing music or sneak away to a quiet place in the house.

A very important aspect of this activity is to be in the moment and use your five senses while indulging in the treat. Talk about an enjoyable stress reliever! It feels very special because it is! It sends a very nurturing message to yourself that you care enough to not binge on your favorite treat while meeting your need to de-stress in a more delightful healthier way.

The next time you feel a binge coming on due to stress or any other reason, allow yourself to indulge in a small treat if you like but create a special moment that tickles your senses. You will be quite surprised with the results!

Pumkin Cream Cupcakes

From Food & Family Kraft Magazine

www.kraftfoods.com

The Wonder Woman Challenge » Recipes

Stressed? Sugar Scrub It Away!

Chocolate with the Steelers!

Girlfriend, I love chocolate just like most other women I know.

So while I had the Steelers game on I decided to turn something ordinary into something extra-ordinary turning dessert into a self-nurture activity.

This activity is one you will want to add to your self-nurture practice. It is so simple to turn something ordinary like eating a snack into something extra-ordinary. It not only lifts the spirit, but it also can help you to de-stress especially when you allow yourself to be “in the moment”.

Note that I rarely spend a lot of money on something like a tea for one set. These types of things I typically stumble upon either on sale or at resale shops. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on stepping up your experience a notch or two.

By the way, this recipe and activity is great for Valentine’s Day!

Did you catch at the beginning that I said I made a “healthy” Chocolate Mouse? The ingredients will surprise you!

Chocolate Mousse

Induldge & De-stress!

I want to share a little trick I use to help curtail this kind of binge eating. Keep in mind that this “trick” I use does not address the root problem. That will be saved for another article. This really isn’t even a trick at all but more of a special treatment.

What I want to share with you today allows you to indulge in a healthier way that, if done properly with the right mindset, can actually be a self-care activity. It’s very simple and fun.

As you can see in the picture above, I created a beautiful holiday setting for eating one (not two, three or even four!) Pumpkin Cream Cupcake. I watched a holiday movie in this setting but sometimes I will play soothing music or sneak away to a quiet place in the house.

The next time you feel a binge coming on due to stress or any other reason, allow yourself to indulge in a small treat if you like but create a special moment that tickles your senses. You will be quite surprised with the results!

Pumkin Cream Cupcakes

1 pkg (2-layer size) spice cake mix

1 pkg (3/4 0z) Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 pkg (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare cake batter as directed on package. Add dry pudding mix and and pumpkin; mix well. Spoon into 24 paper-lined muffin cups.

Beat cream cheese with mixer until cream. Blend in sugar and egg; spoon over batter. Swirl gently with small spoon.

Bake 18 to 21 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove to wire racks. Cool Completely.

Special Extra: Stir 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg into 1 1/2 cups thawed Cool Whip; spread over cooled cupcakes. Keep refrigerated.