BELIEF IS A BEAUTIFUL ARMOR...

TODAY THE PLATEAU HAS BEEN BROKEN!

                                          

                                                                    "THERE CAN BE MIRACLES...

                                                    ...WHEN YOU BELIEVE!!!!!"

                                                                    NEVER GIVE UP.

ALBER

He believes in magic, women, and most importantly himself...

such an inspiration

HIGHLIGHT LOOKS FROM NYFW FALL 2013

images  courtesy of style.com

HAPPINESS & HEALTH

Currently I am very stuck in what seems to be a never ending plateau. I have to keep reminding myself that I am doing everything right.

 

So...while i really want to scream from the highest rooftops of Manhattan, I have to stay strong. This is very much one of those mind over matter situations.

 

Choosing happiness provides a glow. It feels way better to smile than to frown.

 

So smile, be happy, be healthy, and most of all believe in your strength

 

Happy Friday <3

NAMASTE

ONE QUICK THING...

I just want to say that it is so important to power through with no excuses standing in your way. I think that this can be applied to many facets of life. But for me as of this moment, I have just entered my third week of training for my half marathon. Its getting a little more difficult every week adding on an extra mile here and there and working on beating my previous times, and I have ANOTHER cold!!! Instead of sitting at home cuddled under 50 blankets with a cup of boiling hot tea like i really really want to do, I go to the gym. Because no matter how long i cuddle under those blankets, nothing beats that feeling after finishing a great workout or even a not so great work out. Doing something and getting there is what's important

The benefits will be worth it.

I have been stuck at a plateau for weeks now, and I know that its so important to stay strong for my self and for those around me. I know the pay off has to come soon enough if I just stick to it. If anything, they are steps in the right direction.

 Inspire where ever and when ever you can. My friends and family have shown me so much support and love and I only have that to give in return.

Believe in your strength...

LENTIL GRANOLA

For my next post.... 

http://thestonesoup.com/blog/2012/05/lentilgranola/#

 I must share this recipe that has possibly changed the way i think about granola. I always really loved granola, but it was always so high in calories for such a small amount, that it never seemed "worth it"-until now! I came across this recipe by way of pinterest of course which you will soon learn is my creative therapy outlet and I am on it ALL the time. This fantastic blog called thestonesoup.com came up with this brilliant idea. I made a few changes of my own, and it tastes delicious-especially on frozen or non frozen yogurt.

250g (9oz) red lentils
100g (3.5oz) honey---> Instead of using all of this honey, I used 6 tbsp of coconut oil and 1 tbsp of honey
2 teaspoons cinnamon or vanilla extract
200g (7oz) raw almonds
50g (2oz) shaved coconut---> I used shredded coconut

*In addition to the raw unsalted almonds, I have a nut mix that I always have on hand that turned out to be perfect for this granola. It includes the following:

• unsalted peanuts
• walnuts
• unsalted almonds
• unsalted cashews
• unsalted sunflower seeds
• sliced Turkish apricots
• Thompson raisins
• goji berries

FYI: If you are just having the nut mix, 1 oz is a serving and you can add 1 tbsp of dark chocolate chips and shredded coconut ;)

In case you're not so sure about coconut oil... 

...here is why its so great:

Conventional thought used to consider fats like coconut oil to be unhealthy and contribute to heart disease. We now know that this isn’t true. In fact, coconut oil is actually a heart healthy food that can keep your body running smoother in a few different ways

What are the health benefits of coconut oil?  

Studies have show that intake of coconut oil can help our bodies mount resistance to both viruses and bacteria that can cause illness. Even more, it also can help to fight off yeast, fungus, and candida. 

Coconut oil can also positively affect our hormones for thyroid and blood sugar control. People who take coconut oil also tend to have improvements in how they handle blood sugar, for coconut can help improve insulin use within the body. Coconut oil can boost thyroid function helping to increase metabolism, energy and endurance. It increases digestion and helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

 Thanks Dr. Oz!

health benefits of coconut-oil