The Monkey actually ASKED me to make muffins today. And she LOVED these ones. She loved them even more, she claimed, than her favourite STARBUCKS muffins. SO THERE! Ha!

So, I try to keep this blog as vegan as possible. And I’m finding so many baking recipes I love call for eggs. Without further ado, then, I give you vegan egg substitutes — good for vegans AND those who, like me, couldn’t crack an egg properly if their life depended on it….

FLAX SEEDS AND WATER

For one egg, grind 1 tablespoon of flax seeds (or just measure 2.5 tablespoons of ground flax seeds) and mix with 3 tablespoons water. The mixture will become thick and gooey as you beat it. If the recipe you’re using is already pretty wet, you may be able to skip the water — just blend the flax in well. Of course, the best part about substituting eggs with flax (aside from happier hens) is the omega 3 factor! Ground flax is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids.

MASHED BANANAS

For one egg, mash half a banana! EASY! Just, be careful: only use this egg replacer if you don’t mind your baked goods tasting a wee bit like banana….

These are my favourite egg substitutes because they’re so easy and available…. But, there are others. See HERE for more on the above ideas and other great egg substitutes.

In the meantime…, I give you your muffins, Gorgeouses!

INGREDIENTS
(Makes 12)

2 cups oat bran (preferably a hot cereal mix — get your high fiber!)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup milk substitute (I used rice milk)
1/2 cup canola oil (or vegetable oil of your choice)
1 organic egg or egg replacer (beaten)(see above)
1/2 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup ground walnuts (grind a small handful of whole walnuts)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease muffin tin.

2. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

3. Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.

4. Pour the dry mixture into the wet, and combine until just blended.

5. Spoon the mix into the muffin tin.

6. Bake for 20 minutes (or until they look ready to you — golden…).

7. Let cool for 5-10 minutes. And ENJOY!

Let me know what you think and, of course, any tips or variations you have!

So, I’ve been on this new diet lifestyle for 2 days now. It’s definitely agreeing with me and, after only two days, I can see the errors of my eating ways, and how gravely they were affecting me on so many levels — physical, emotional, energetic….

The only change Nutritionist, Lori, wants me to make this first week is breakfast. I’m supposed to eat one of the balanced breakfasts among her long list. So, two days in a row, I’ve had an egg, a piece of Ezekiel bread, an oz of cheese and an apple. Starting off with this balanced meal sets me up for the day. And, it’s quicker and easier to make than I thought it would be!

My friends don’t seem to understand just WHY I need to quit my Starbucks-chai-tea-latte breakfast — because, really, it’s not THAT BAD calorie-wise, and I DO take it with nonfat milk (or soy milk). But, the problem is, that evil drink SPIKES my blood sugar, throwing me out of balance. It’s a drug, A CRUTCH, for me — hence I chug it, am absolutely incapable of calmly sipping it. I IDENTIFY with this silly drink. It’s my ESCAPE. My cup of ADULT in this toddler/baby world I’m ensconced in.

Now that I realize all this, I have to change it. I canNOT depend on a drink to do all that for me. And, besides, BALANCE, I’m learning, and not ESCAPE is the way to go. When I have that chai, I crave sugar for the rest of the day — “pant pant pant sugar sugar gimme sugar where’s my sugar another chai need another chai more MORE MOOOOORE!” I CRAVE that HIGH ALL DAY. With a balanced breakfast, I crave balance all day, and the satisfied feeling that balanced breakfast gives me. Also, the balanced breakfast makes me more apt to recognize when I’m off balance — like right now, as a matter of fact, because I’m so tired from WAY overextending myself lately! MUST GET MORE SLEEP!

So, balance. Yoga off the mat. Don’t get me wrong, Gorgeouses, renouncing The Chai is NOT EASY, no matter how easy I make it sound! Today, Gorgeouses, I had to work HARD to resist her. I was a like a toddler whose favourite toy has been taken away. I WAAAAAAN IT, and I want it BAD. But, I persevered and managed to get through the day chai…FREE.

I always thought that “dieting” meant denying myself the things I love. But, the things I love are CRUTCHES, ADDICTIONS. And, I need to liberate myself from these addictions. Freedom is in the healthy foods, and not the stuff that WEIGHS US DOWN — the donuts, the cookies, the CHAAAAIIIIIs we WISH we could have copious amounts of!

I’m a yoga teacher. Time to get back on track as an example for my students. The goal is liberation. Freedom from the material. Renouncing that chai is an act of freedom. Goodbye CHAI. You suck arse.

So, HUGE NEWS, Kitchen Gorgeouses! Nutritionist LORI is going to motivate us with monthly contributions, to start. When she has more time, i.e., AFTER SHE HAS HER BABY, she’ll do more — perhaps WEEKLY!

Just so you know, Lori is AWESOME. So many of my friends are on her diet, and they SWEAR BY IT. She’s a “holistic nutritionist” — which means she has an eye on OVERALL health and not just on weight loss. You’ll love her.

More on Lori AND the diet later. For now, a recipe for a BALANCED breakfast that will make you feel as good as I do now. As Lori says, the first thing to do when you’re changing your lifestyle is to change your breakfast. Eat a balanced breakfast within one hour of waking up. Check it!

LORI’S SHAKE TO GO

Ingredients:

1/2 c rice milk (substitute 1% Regular Milk or Soy Milk)
1/4 c water
1 scoop protein powder (I use Hemp Protein powder because I’m a nutball….)
1/2 c blueberries
1 c strawberries
2 tsp flaxseed oil

Blend until smooth! Et VOILA! Enjoy.

I haven’t tried this recipe yet. But, I bought all the ingredients, see?!

Healthy healthy! And, low maintenance — I’m not, like, juicing or growing my own vegetables and sprouts. Will try it tomorrow.

NOTE: Not every diet suits everyone. What you’re reading here, of course, are my reflections. Talk to your doctor, of course, and don’t take these words as Truth. There is no truth. THERE IS NO SPOOOON!

Everyone LOVES a sleeping monkey. There’s nothing sweeter, quieter or more peaceful. Best of all, monkeys DON’T EAT when they’re sleeping.

Don’t EAT when they’re sleeping? Huh? So? That’s right. That cheaty little rascal has been sucking the life out of meboooobies today. He’s been going for, like, hours, and with, like, one hour of non-eating or fussing in between. I know, I know. Growth spurt. But, DUDE, I’m exhausted. And, I’m boiling hot right now…. But, he’s sleeping. Which means I can write something. Something probably illegible.

Don’t EAT when they’re sleeping? That’s right. I finally got a break from feeding that ravenous little rascal to make dinner for his cheaty little sister.

Ahhh, eggs. One forgets how GOSHDARNDIT EASY they are to make — perfect dinner. Bought pre-diced veggies. Dumped them into pan with spray canola oil. Poured liquid egg from fancy omega-3 brand over the veggies. Cooked. Placed slices of cheese over top and broiled. Yum. Baked sweet potato fries on the side….

Come on in, and see what happened when I went to put food on the table. But, first, watch your step on the way to the kitchen….

Okay, now, check it. Absolutely no interest in slaved-on dinner…because sleeping….

Needless to say, when I coaxed her awake, she wanted NOTHING to do with food. Except yogurt, which she ate with much success. Until I decided to taste it and noticed it was BAD! Like sour, stinking BAD! Ugh. She’s fine. Still in a deep sleep.

Also sleeping deeply beside me…. The-boy-who-won’t-stop-eating. Unless, of course, he’s sleeping….

Closeup the first….

Closeup the second….

So, do I sound tired? It’s ridiculous how tired am. Josh-O’s coming home any minute now from a 4-day vacay in Vegas. I say “vacay,” but it was really for work. ‘Cept whenever I called or he called he was on his way to, or already at, a poker game. If he complains that he’s tired EVEN once, I’m posting a nudie pic of him! Consider yourself WARNED, JOSH-O!

Oh, but look! He just got home and gave me THIS:

Clothes can definitely buy love….

And, yes, the rascal is now awake.

TO FEED!

LOVE…. xo Haley-O