Self Care And The Time Change

Today, it is time change day, and so I'm feeling sluggish.  I almost didn't go out and ride my bicycle but pushed myself, and I am glad I did.

Since I got my bicycle carrier on my car, I've been trying to get out to the wooded trails at least twice a week.  Each time I go, I'm riding about 5 to 6 miles which is pretty good.  I'm not in the best shape, so that's far enough for me at the moment.

It feels good though to go out and ride my bicycle.  Life has been incredibly stressful lately, and it is showing up in physical ways.   Until I can get to an appointment for some bodywork, this helps.

I do try to stop and notice the turtles along the path, the birds flying around, and the butterflies.  Sometimes in the middle of the bicycle ride, I'll just stop and rest and observe all that is around me.  It is very meditative and peaceful and relaxing.

When I get done, I try to take some moments to cool down and observe.  With all the trees around this place, it just helps you find your grounding and balance in life.

Here's a video clip of the park I go to, and it is just so beautiful.

When I get back home, I've had the 180 Nutrition product that I love.  I've been experimenting though with it and found a drink that I really enjoy as a result.  Here's the recipe in case you want to try it.  The 180 Nutrition stuff is very healthy, and we've been using it for years.  One of those products that we would be lost without.

Here's my Chocolate Almond Banana Drink

• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1 Cup Almond Milk (or your favorite)
• A touch of Honey (since I use almond milk with no added sugar)
• 1/2 scoop 180 Nutrition 

So delicious, it didn't last long (and HEALTHY)

So that's what I did today for the time change and just trying to do some #Selfcare.



Full Disclosure:  I am an affiliate for 180 Nutrition.  I only promote and endorse products that I completely love and have used. 

Chocolate Is My Stress Food

I didn't just say that did I?  Say it isn't so!  Yes, you read that title correctly that chocolate is my stress food.   I'm sorry, but I admit it.  Now pass me some chocolate!

With all funniness aside, chocolate is in fact my stress food.  When I'm stressed, it is whats for dinner!  That sounds bad doesn't it, but in many ways it is true.  Hey at least I'm being honest!

These past several weeks I have been under a lot of stress and struggling with some issues in life.  Even if I wanted to put down the chocolate, I was consuming a lot of it!  Even with a desire to cut back on how much I was consuming, I still ate it like there was no tomorrow.

Chocolate is not only my stress food, but it brings me comfort.  I have a feeling I'm not alone.  Not that I'm happy about it, but it is what it is.

I'm sure the chocolate companies know this and they make sure we as a world are never short on supply.  In fact, I've got a feeling that this healthy dark chocolate thing isn't all that its cracked up to be when it comes to the research studies.  I think there is a dark side to this, but at this point, I have no way to prove it.

Carob

Many religious scholars believe that John The Baptist in the Bible lived on carob pods which were called locust beans in his day. In addition, the story of the prodigal son references eating the pods the swine were fed and it is believed to be the pods of carob trees.

Even the Greek Theophratus recorded in 4 B.C. that carob was the Egyptian fig. The Romans are thought to have eaten the carob pods as well.

The carob tree is a legume that grows in arid conditions in places like the Mediterranean areas. Because of the areas it grows in, they are naturally alien to fungus and pests so little or no chemical sprays are needed. It is a large tree and grows up to 50 feet. It flowers in September and October. The tree produces no fruit for the first 15 years of its life. A large tree can produce up to one ton of beans in one harvest and can often produce fruit well into its old age.

One tablespoon of unsweetened carob powder has 25 calories, no fat, no saturated fat, no cholesterol, and 6 grams carbohydrate. One tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder contains 12 calories, 1 gram of fat, no saturated fat, no cholesterol and 3 grams of carbohydrate.

Carob has been called the health substitute to chocolate. For people, who cannot eat chocolate, carob is a good alternative. Carob is free from caffeine and theobromine found in chocolate which are stimulants. It is also naturally sweet, so carob products will generally contain less sugar than chocolate.

For More Information:
1) http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/what-is-carob.htm

2) http://www.living-foods.com/articles/rawcarob.html

Carob can be purchased in your local health food store or in places like Whole Foods. It is available for purchase online at Amazon.com as well if you are not able to find it in your area.