Ice Cream Alternative

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (6 ounces) almond milk (or milk of your choice, i use unsweetened vanilla almond breeze by blue diamond)
• 15 ice cubes.. maybe more!
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1-2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder (depending on how chocolatey you like it)
• 1/4 tsp xanthan gum (this is the KEY ingredient)
• 1/4 tsp guar gum (or use more xanthan if you don’t have guar)
• sweetener of choice (in this one i used 1/4 of a frozen banana for my sweetener, but i always switch it up. other ideas: stevia packet, a few dates, xylitol, or agave)

Directions:

• blend, blend, blend!

I found this recipe on Pinterest and am dying to try it! As the weather is turning around and summer is fast approaching, I have already been faced with more ice cream than is acceptable. I have been having a hard time saying no to it all, so I wanted to find a healthy, ice cream-like recipe. This one looked particularly good as it looks creamy and thick like ice cream, but it is healthy and a good way to get protein! Stop worrying about finding ways to avoid ice cream, you can indulge in a delicious, guilt free treat!

Poetry Cycle

Air

Weightless but forceful,

its unyielding presence tears through the night.

Bending sinewy trees to mangled specters,

calling forth mighty waves from the ocean depths,

provoking the flaring fires embers.

The wind,

a gale howling with chilling conviction,

its call saturated in violence and wrath.

The delicate breeze that frolics and teases,

reveals its wild, powerful spirit.

I have recently been writing a poetry cycle, the theme being the elements ex. fire, earth, air, water. In my cycle I am trying to demonstrate the different aspects of each element, both the gentle and the powerful. This poem is my representation of the powerful, and wild aspects of the air. I also tried to incorporate its relationship with the other elements as they all need one another to complete the cycle, and create a balance. I drew on the airs impact upon the water and fire in its untamed state.

I have a shirt with this quote on it. I wear it on the days where I am feeling unmotivated and tired because as I go through my workout and continue to look down at the quote, I can draw some inspiration from it and it pushes me forward. A little pain and sweat is a good thing when you're working out. It means you are actually doing something and your body is gaining muscle and losing fat. Don't look at it as pain and gross sweat, look at it as your ability to feel your body changing in the moment.

I can absolutely relate to this quote! While working out may be tiring and drain your energy, it provides the body with endorphins which elevate your mood and actually give your body more energy. Halfway through a run when you're sweating and taking in deep breaths, trying to push yourself forward, you may be physically exhausted but as the day continues you'll find that you feel better and more energetic. Surprise, it was the workout providing you with all that extra energy!

I fell in love with this quote! It's quite simple and direct but it carries nothing but truth. Instead of sitting around and wishing something would happen, for instance wishing your summer beach body would come out of hiding, get out and work for it! Good things happen when you put the effort in to make them happen. If you are unhappy with an aspect of your body, you have the power to get up and change it. It may take a while and a lot of hard work, but it will happen!

I hate when people say things like "If only I had (this or that), then I would be succesful/happy/fulfilled,etc." No one is born into a life of perfect circumstances. Everyone who appears to be happy/succesful,etc. had to work through some obstacles at some point to get to where they are. No one's life is completely filled with happiness so if a person appears to be happy it is because they have examined their life, worked through their problems (which takes a great deal of emotional energy and will) and made the conscious decision to appreciate what they have and go forth in life with a positive attitude. If everyone made the most of what they had as this quote says, everyone would realize they have a lot to appreciate. They may even realize they've been taking some things for granted and it would be a very eye opening experience.
Personally, I try to be appreciative of all I have, although I know at times I take certain things for granted when I shouldn't. It's just very important to remember that when you get down, you need to take a look at all you have and not allow yourself to feel like a victim, but appreciate the little things that add to your life.

My Mother

                Too often in life, we take for granted the things most important to us. The things we wouldn't know how to live or function without. Mother's day is approaching and I began to think about all the ways in which my mother has inspired me throughout the years. She has always believed in me and offered me encouragment. She has always been there for me, and I cannot describe the depth of my gratitude and appreciation, nor the tremendous importance she holds in my life. I am the luckiest person in the world to have such a wonderful mother who I know I can always count on.

Nourishing the fields of youth,

wiping away the stinging tears in the gloom of the night,

lulling me into sweet rest time and time again.

Always there to listen to failing words in a time of hurt.

Opening my eyes to the magic of the wind,

the gift of grass and meadows and wildflowers.

With nectar thoughts,

she introduced me to the charms of life,

my mother.