Papaya-Cilantro Smoothie - Grace Grits & Gardening

Hey everyone, it's time for Talya from  Grace Grits & Gardening to share a fantastic healthy smoothie recipe with us today....

In Texas, we love our cilantro. In everything.

This smoothie is lactose-free, gluten-free and vitamin-loaded! The hint of cilantro provides a refreshing clean taste.

Papaya-Cilantro Smoothie

1 cup frozen cubed papaya

1/2 cup frozen banana

1/2 cubed watermelon (I used fresh)

1/2 cup fat free Lactaid milk (more if too thick)

handful of cilantro (approximately 2 Tablespoons)

1 teaspoon zip code honey

Blend.

That's it!

Health benefits of cilantro (known as coriander in Asia):

• Rich in antioxidant polyphenolic flavonoids and essential volatile oils;
• High in dietary fiber which helps reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol levels;
• Rich in several vital vitamins including folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, beta carotene, vitamins A, K and C; and,
• Good source of minerals such as potassium, calcium, manganese, iron and magnesium.

Zip code honey:

Local honey from your zip code will aid in seasonal allergy relief. Honey is a natural immunity builder used to remedy ailments such as cuts and burns, hangovers, sore throats, and sleeplessness. 

I buy local North Texas honey from Bee True Products. Search the Local Harvest website for sustainably grown produce in your area, including honey.

Delicious. The honey and the smoothie.

talya

Grace Grits & Gardening

Strawberry Pineapple Protein Smoothie - Kreative Creationz

Hello, Inspiration Café! It’s Kendra from Kreative Creationz, again.

I am so glad to be back sharing one of my favorite things. Homemade smoothies! I just love the fact that you can put almost any fruit and some veggies into smoothies. They leave so much room for creativity.

Now that strawberries are back in season and the price has went from over $5 to less than $2, I have been buying several baskets at a time. I’ve been keeping one basket in the fridge and freezing the rest. Who knows if there will be a crazy price increase again in the near future? I just want to be prepared. Right now I have three large containers of strawberries in my freezer.

The recipe I am going to share is one of my favorite smoothie combinations. It’s simple yet tasty. There’s no dairy (I’m trying no dairy meals for a week) and I added a little protein to help get my day started. Enjoy!

Ingredients 6 Large Ice Cubes 8 Large Strawberries, Sliced ¼ Cup Pineapples, Crushed ½ Cup Orange Juice 2 ½ Tablespoons Soy Protein, Vanilla Flavor

Directions Blend ice, strawberries, pineapples, and orange juice until smooth. Add protein and blend, occasionally scraping sides of blender if protein sticks to side. 

 

Serve immediately. (Makes 2 servings)

Coconut Body Scrub - Kreative Kreations

Today Kendra from Kreative Kreations is here to share her relaxing body scrub....what a great gift idea or treat for yourself...

Every once in a while I wish I could unplug from everything. I want to put the baby to bed early, let my husband stretch out on the couch to watch a game, and go upstairs to have time just for me. I don’t mean a few minutes to catch up on bills, homework, or whatever chore I didn’t get to that day. No, I mean relaxing in our Jacuzzi tub. I mean scented candles, face masks, great music, maybe a glass of wine, and a relaxing body scrub.

These moments don’t come often enough. I love my family, but we all need a break every so often. Well, I know I may not get to unplug anytime soon but when I do I’ll be prepared. I decided to make a body scrub for that relaxing evening (hopefully, not too far into the future). It’s made with three simple ingredients and can be made in a flash. I also wanted my body scrub to be in a cute little container. Here is what I have ready for when that special “me” time comes. Enjoy!

What You Need

¾ Cup Oats (Rolled or Steel Cut, Not Instant)
½ Cup Raw Sugar
4 Tbsp. Coconut Milk
 

1 Small Glass Jar with Top

Decorative Stickers 

 Ribbon

Directions
Place oats in food processor. Run on low for 30 seconds. 

Place sugar in processor and run on low for 10 seconds. (The picture shows the difference between raw sugar and granulated sugar. Raw sugar is on the left.)

Add coconut milk and run on low until mixture looks like a paste. 

Let mixture sit for three minutes. While mixture is settling, place stickers on jar.

Scoop mixture into jar and seal. Tie ribbon around lid of jar. Mixture can be refrigerated for up to seven days.

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Serenity Now ~ with Grace Grits and Gardening

Inspiration Cafe would like to welcome back Talya, from Grace Grits and Gardening for:

Serenity Now

I turned fifty last July. That's fifty times around the sun... Let that sink in for a moment.

In one day the average adult heart beats over 120,000 times. In fifty years, it beats ALOT–more math than I care to do. Definitely not something to take for granted... 

I feel better at fifty than forty. I attribute this in part to yoga. The gifts of yoga extend well beyond flexibility, toning, balance and strength. Its benefits include enhanced focus and creativity, lowered blood pressure and less anxiety. Yoga enhances heart health.

My favorite pose in yoga class is final savasana—Corpse Pose. Lying flat, feet relaxed, breath long, posturing the mind and body to imitate a corpse. A non-yogi may be skeptical, but if you practice, you understand. 

There was a time not that very long ago, corpse pose was the most difficult for me. I found it unnerving to lie still and let go. I should be doing something. So I took the opportunity during final savasana to mentally review my to-do list—crunch numbers for a loan application, call a customer, run by the grocery store, schedule a hair appointment, blah blah blah... Serenity Now!!!

Within only a few weeks, final savasana became the most beneficial part of my yoga practice. Letting every muscle in the body melt into the floor, freeing the mind to witness thoughts instead of thinking thoughts. Not awake, not asleep. Still and quiet for fifteen minutes or so—just being.


With the firmness of the earth beneath me, I feel my body relax and flatten into my mat. A wood flute plays softly in the background. The clock ticks rhythmically. Inside, energy from the class fills the room. Outside, the autumn leaves stir and traffic whirs beyond —busy people, a busy world. For a few moments, I luxuriate within my tiny spot. My mind empties, clearing space to think and create. Serenity now...

Then, back to writing.

Namaste,

talya

My favorite yoga studios...

Arkansas Yoga Center

1949 Green Acres

Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703

Lotus Yoga Dallas

6337 Prospect

Dallas, Texas 75214

Frank Costanza: Serenity Now! Serenity Now!

George Costanza: What is that?

Frank Costanza: The doctor gave me a relaxation cassette. When my blood pressure gets too high, the man on the tape tells me to say Serenity Now!

George Costanza: Are you supposed to yell it? 

Frank Costanza: The man on the tape wasn't specific.    (Seinfeld)

***A Big Thanks to Talya, from Grace Grits and Gardening, for sharing her experience with yoga and reminding us of some important things during this busy holiday season!*** 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Hugs from the Ladies of Inspiration Cafe