I got a great surprise today. A woman called me and offered me a job at her gym to teach a few yoga classes. So that's the third studio I now have yoga teaching gigs at, and I am soooo excited! It feels wonderful to be wanted, respected, appreciated by students, and paid, for my yoga skills and knowledge. After giving 110% of myself to pregnancy and new motherhood, and now that Skylar is almost 3 years, it's time for me to start working outside of the home more because I need that for myself, and reconnecting with my passion for teaching yoga is just what the Zen Doctor ordered.
I'm thrilled about the positive feedback on the Raw Vegan Almond Butter Cookies! Yay! So good, so easy, you probably already have the ingredients on hand, no gluten or soy, and no fancy appliances needed. Yeah, they hit the vegan cookie spot, for sure!
Vanilla Extract. Doesn't look like anything special? Well it was. On special, that is. Half-price. This was a $24.99 bottle on sale for $12.99. Score! Does anyone else go through vanilla extract like it's water? I could bathe in the stuff!
I found this Caramel Corn at TJ's. Not health food, but not a disaster, either. No gluten or dairy listed on the label. Score! And, Yes, there is corn syrup. Cest la vie.
Pumpkin...
...Or Apple.
What are you going to do? Store-bought? It's ok, whatever is Easiest & the Least Stress: Go With That! Check out my last post about my thoughts on Letting Things Slide.
But back to desserts, my recipes are no more than 15 minutes for the Apple and about 20 for the Pumpkin. Just sayin'...
Since I didn't have any Apple or Pumpkin Desserts on hand, but I did have some Raw Vegan Almond Butter Cookies, it was a no-brainer.
I Munched These. With pleasure.
Yoga Today is Parsva Bakasana (Side Crow Pose)
What's your comfort food during the winter months? Or how about any time you need a comfort food, what do you gravitate toward? Mine would definitely be extra coffee or even a nice cup of tea in the beverage department and in the food department, it would have to be sweets or a dessert, and lately I've been loving my Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls. They really hit the comfort spot. What's your Comfort Food?
Stay Tuned For A Last Minute Pumpkin Dessert Recipe for the Big Day...
51 comments:
I don't think I could ever be 100% RAW although some days I do find I get to the end of the day and I have been 100%. During the colder months, maybe RAW til dinner will be what I plan to do. Who knows, I just go with what my body tells me :)
Girl, those cookies (and pie and apple crumble) look amazing!! I know what will keep me warm throughout the cold winter months! ;) And that salad looks amazing.
Skylar is the cutest too!
Wow! You're really burning up those yoga studios, woman! LOL Good for you!!
I wonder how you'll have time to blog, though. Sheesh. You'll have to go shopping for a Wonder Woman yoga outfit. ;-)
I'd say for you to make both of those desserts: apple and pumpkin. So you'll have leftovers for the next day. Is that so bad? Nah!
I am trying to stay closer to 100% raw these days because I had let myself slip a little too much a while back. I've always maintained 75% raw and above these past few years but I feel really, really good at 95% and up.
The things that keep me away from 100% raw all the time are steamed brussel sprouts, baked sweet potato, heated steel-cut oats, etc. Those aren't bad foods at all, but raw purists wouldn't touch 'em!
I was allowing myself to have an omelet or Greek yogurt once in a while, but have pushed away from those as well. Other than the raw honey I recently had, I've been living a high-raw VEGAN lifestyle these days!!
Honey is what stands between me and Veganism. For shame!
*smiles*
Michele
Congrats on another ypga gig girl!!
I saw those mint and chocolate chips at Target the other day. So tempted to buy them.
I would probably have to vote for making both desserts - I love a variety! And during the cold months, I love the typical soups, grilled cheese, mashed potatoes - you know, all the stuff you can't eat. :)
I cannot believe those gluten free snack chips were 1.99. GF stuff is always insane. I bought those pretzels one time (red bag.. not sure the brand) and they were like 7$. Nice find.. glad cutie pie Skylar enjoys em.
In the colder months, I crave roasted squash and heavy root veggies. Ya.. not "bad" for you.. but I like my belly to be full!!
Congrats on another job offer, Averie. What a great opportunity!! You go!!
Sweet deal on the vanilla! Especially since that stuff is so dang expensive. I looove vanilla yogurt, but the store-bought stuff kinda scares me. So I buy plain yogurt and add vanilla extract and stevia myself. So in sum, yes, I do bathe in the stuff :P
I always appreciate your attitude towards being vegan. You gotta do what feels right for you, and not be a slave to a "label." Comforting foods, hands down are bowls of oat bran and chili. Mmm...
And congrats on the new yoga gig!! That's awesome!! :D
Great outlook on food! balance is key mind/body/spirit!
Great outlook on balance, Mind/body/spirit! all key.
Due to so much restriction/food rule making in the past, I also try to eat whatever my body is craving now. In the cold weather months, I find that means lots of hot foods, sweet potatoes, soups, etc. Unfortunately, I almost never crave a smoothie or salad, so I need to focus on having a big portion of sauteed or steamed veggies - every little bit counts!
Being raw doing winter months is not too hard for us... though we do what our body craves and needs. so maybe some warm tea or steamed veggies... who knows. Comfort is chocolate ;)
You always leave me the nicest most thoughtful comments, and every night I rack my tired mommy brain to just think of something that will make you smile as much as you make me smile.
You inspire me and so many others. I'm so glad to call you my friend. :)
Um, make both. Duh. ;)
I have been obsessed with sweet mint stuff lately.
Oh and the carob chickpea recipe isn't actually what I was after last week (it just happened spontaneously)...I think what I'm after is making homemade carob chips. Just need to google it! :-D
PS Congrats on being the new hot yoga instructor in town :0)
That pumpkin pie looks TOO good
PPS Comfort food- we've talked about it...can you guess? Yup, vitamix soup- just veggies- squash, onion, ginger, garlic, whatever. YUM.
oh my gosh, you're doing awesome with the yoga teacher thing! Congrats on all the jobs! And I love vanilla extract too! The only thing I don't like is the price, haha. That's awesome you found some for cheap :)
That's crazy to have to choose between those desserts! I say make em both ;) My comfort food is pumpkin (haha) and coffee for sure! lately I've been really into tea, too. It's definitely calming--I'm drinking a cup right now :) Have a great night, Averie!
comfort foods.. more coffee too. and teas. and peppermint shnapps? and good wine.. hehe
;)
I think you should make BOTH the apple crumble and no bake pumpkin pie. I think I want to make my auntie the no bake pie for christmas :) She would love it! My sister wants a box of the raw cookie dough for christmas :D Im happy she loved them as much as I did! GREAT christmas gifts :) Yay
love you
and major congrats, again! on the third studio gig!
YAY for the yoga teaching!! can i please live with you so you can make me all that yummy food? haha but seriously!! those cookies look AWESOME.
Why do you need to choose between apple pie or pumpkin pie? HAVE BOTH!
Skylar's little face is so sweet, she looks so much like her mama :)
Congrats on the 3 new yoga jobs! Those new WooWooWemon yoga clothes will get some good use :)
xox Sheri
congrats on your new job!!! i see a pumpkin apple pie in your future :)
CONGRATS on the yoga! Thats so exciting. Great foodie finds and thank you for the list for TJs!! I don't eat meat, but the husband does and I bet he'd love that chicken. You rock!
Could you suggest any recipes that don't require a blender? I've got none ;) But the goodies look so DELISH!
You really are like Mother Blogger Goose - you're so practical and so REAL.
I actually do something a lot now that you once wrote about... when things are good, I make a mental note to "come back" to that spot in time when things are stressful, rushed and tense. It really helps and although it seems like such a simple idea it really is great. So thanks for that.
CONGRATS on yet another yoga gig. I love a girl that makes stuff happen! Especially a girl that makes raw, vegan, GF desserts happen every day! ;)
Yay Averie!!! I'm so proud of you an excited that you have another teaching spot.. I wish I lived in the area so I could support the class :-) Don't worry about the drive- as long as you can make child care and time work out for it.. it can be nice to just have some quiet time in the car before teaching! The desserts really are tasty!! I'm making a carrot cake for the actual dinner- which unfortunately I can't eat, but I am told I make the best- and what better day to share it than Thanksgiving right? After all it is all about giving :-)
My comfort food is sweet potatoes, and indian food. I really love the warming spices and the rustic feel of curries.. Enjoy your Thanksgiving dear!!
Keep up the yoga fabulousness!! :)
I gravitate toward my favorite daily snack = baked sweet potato with cinnamon & coconut butter.
HUGE congrats on the yoga Averie! What a great way to not only help unwind, but also to make a little extra $$$$ AND get involved in your community! Again, you must fly to Wisconsin one of these days and teach me a session. ;)
And love all of your recent finds! That deal on the vanilla is amazing. I just love finding my cooking and baking essentials at great prices.
xxoo
Heather
A delightfully visual post for the eye Averie!! I love your desserts! 15 minutes to make wow! That apple crisp looks great. Wish I had your photography skills. And Holy Crow...haha - I can't even get into Crow (and barely tried) let alone the angles your pushing there!!
Averie I am seriously so happy for you on all of these great teaching jobs and I can't wait to hear all about them tomorrow! During the cold months I pound tea like it's my job!
i cant believe those chips were 1.99 either. i bought of bag of hand cut organic tortilla chips for like 5 somthing and they HAVE gluten!
comfort food = mashed potatoes, scallopped potates , chicken pot pie , chickne soup
Congratulations on your yoga job!
My current comfort food is carrots and veggies. Is that weird? Oh and pasta. Always pasta. :)
I'm so glad this is all happening for you, Averie! Three things all at once! That's how it's been working with my job interviews... nothing for months, and then they all blow in. Must be karma, as you said!
You have so many options for T-day goodies! We go to a friend's house so we're not in charge of dessert, but I think I am going to FINALLY bring a vegetarian (and vegan, for that matter) recipe with me. My mom and I usually make riDICulous sticky buns.
Congrats on the new yoga classes!!
And side crow is another pose I'm working on -- just came from class, actually :-)
Amazing desserts, as ever.
Soup I'm still looking for the replacement for chicken noodle.
Your desserts are all soooo tempting!
And these salad looks great I must check out that dressing I'm not usually a salad girl, but that dressing looks too good not to try.
And that is AWESOME that Skylar doesn't know junk food I wish more parents would do that with their kids. There is no excuse for kids to live on mac n cheese and junk.
favorite comfort food hands down turkey chili wtih corn bread...I just had some on sunday and cooked a whole pot so I have plenty in the freezer when I need that comforting meal!
I just printed your pumpkin pie recipe and cant wait to make it :)
too funny that skylar can't tell the diff btwn flax and crackers and fritos!! she is going to be one healthy chica like her mama
I think if you were my personal chef I could certainly go raw 100% !!
Congratulations on the yoga gigs!
Yeah, I was actually out of vanilla for two weeks and it was quite stressful. I was thinking about getting a vanilla paste I was eyeing on Amazon.
Wow you arms are shredded! Very nice!
Yay for another yoga class! you are really getting settled in fast!
I love your "if i eat cooked, who cares." I have been in that mode a little bit because I am learning you can't fight what you can't fight.
and with working I need a lot of help some days and since I do I lose some 'say" over what is served.
fall/winter comfort foods...TEAS. and lately not really sweets but baked roasted things like the yams and kale (believe it or not) and also squash. oh so good.
I love eating food and at the end of the day feeling light and super good about it. I have been having a lot more of those days lately. (even when I eat something I'd rather not)
nice finds at the store...I too love vanilla. its a staple. I just bought some at fresh n easy and all i can taste is the alcohol. time to go find my normal brand.
oh APPLE CRUMBLE! I want to make that too...but my hubs will probably lighten my load and go get a pie. He's a saint!
nice post and great eats and love your poses as always!
xo
I found those mint/dark chocolate chips on sale this weekend and bought a few packages myself! I'm sure there are several wonderful things to make with them. Yum!
Love your blog. Have you ever tried alcohol-free Vanilla extract in your raw creations? (It contains glycerine instead of alcohol.) My raw chef taught me about it. Once you taste your delicious cookies, etc. made with it, you might find that vanilla extract with alcohol makes them taste sort of "sour" or off. It's under $5 for 4 ounces at Trader Joe or health food stores.
Wow those desserts look incredible!! And that pose...that's amazing. Love the blog!
good call on listening to your body and selecting the foods that it really seems to need!
yah for all the yoga positions, that's amazing
I'm bringing a gluten free (raw nut crust), maple syrup sweetened pumpkin pie to my Thanksgiving celebration...plus homemade cranberry sauce that just contains cranberries, pears, apples, oranges, and a splash of maple syrup. I love healthy Thanksgiving food!
BODA weight loss
You MUST try this recipe for Vegan Pumpkin Pie Brownies. DELISH, fairly adaptable to suit anyone's dietary needs, and (almost) guilt free!
My sister's chocolate cherry cordial cheesecake used to be a holiday staple with my family. I am determined to hunt down or create a healthy vegan version for this year.
Your thin mint copycats would also make a perfect holiday snack alongside a frothy peppermint mocha cappuccino. (I am also not-so-secretly hoping you will dream up a recipe for gingerbread cookie balls, possibly rolled in tiny red and green chocolate chips? Yes, please and thank you!)
I think you should go into the realm of a raw, vegan CHOCOLATE pumpkin pie. Cocoa in the crust? Choc chips mixed with pumpkin, and maybe a chocolate drizzle on top. :)
Geeze a third teaching gig?! That's awesome! You're going to be making friends, doing yoga, and forgetting about blogging! heh, heh, JK.
Definitely extra coffee (it warms me up in the middle of the day!) My motto with coffee becomes "Why not?!" haha. And also desserts, its like the only time of year we get to indulge in yum yum yum treats.
Congrats on the 3rd job - woo hoo!!
I've been so inspired by making your desserts I'm taking YOUR apple crumble to my thanksgiving dinner. Most of my family have NO CLUE it's raw, although they may wonder why the apples are crunchy.
I did a test drive this weekend and it was a big hit with hubby!
Thanks so much - I've been sending all my www.sparkpeople.com friends to check out your yummy eats!
congrats on studio #3. i think it is SO awesome that you have gigs doing what you LOVE. so admirable!! haha, great visual of a vanilla bath. i, too, go through the stuff like crazy. i buy it at costco! the minty chips look awesome! what is in them that is not vegan? i think you should make both desserts ;) since i made so many side dishes this year, we bought our desserts. less stress! i am going to try to make some treats for friends this week~both vegan and not vegan. i am thinking one of your cookie or bite size recipes would be awesome because they are so portable. did you ever post the macaroon recipe you sent me samples of? those were by far my favorite macaroons ever in the history of coconut. comfort food for me=cereal or toast with peanut butter and homemade jam (my moms!)
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Too funny with the bathing in vanilla extract comment. On the same note, I think i could snif Madagascar vanilla powder.
girl you are nailing the job opps! I am so ridiculously proud of you :)
my favorite winter comfort food is soup all the way. Speaking of which, I don't suppose you have any split pea soup recipes laying around? I figured I'd ask the master chef ;)
love to you babes!
Congrats on more yoga gigs! I only wish I lived nearby!
I vote for apple crisp!
Mmmmmm, I am salivating! I bought all of the ingredients today so I can make these goodies. You are such an awesome, creative food maker :) Thanks! It makes it easier for me, I just follow suit and enjoy : )
My favorite winter comfort food? I think it may be roasted root vegetables when I get to that point. I can't wait!
Nicole
I love how chill you are!!! You have a great way of thinking. Can't wait for the creme de menthe :) And congrats on the yoga :)
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