• the blessings butterfly
    healthy - recipes

    Rad Recipes: Chad’s Favorite Stuffed Chicken Breast

    December 3, 2016 - By 

    I love to cook, and I’ve been told that I’m pretty frickin’ good at it. ::blushes::  My hottie boyfriend Chad loves that I love to cook, and that I’m pretty frickin’ good at it, because that means he gets to enjoy lots of great-tasting home cooked meals almost every day!  One of his favorites that I make is a stuffed chicken breast that tastes way more high-calorie than it actually is.  We have this about 1x a week because he loves it so much, but he would not be mad if I made it even more often, LOL!  (Takes about…

  • healthy - recipes

    Rad Recipes: Cool As A Cucumber

    November 21, 2016 - By 

      This cool and refreshing dish can work as an easy meal for lunch or light dinner, or serve it up as a fancy little party tray.  The creamy crab mixture is also amazing stuffed in avocado halves, tomatoes, lavash or tortilla wraps, or to make your own California Rolls. Enjoy! 1 cup shredded cooked crab meat (about 4 ounces} 1/4 cup chopped green onion (white and green parts) 1 1/2 tablespoons sour cream 1 1/2 tablespoons cream cheese 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, to taste 2 tablespoons finely chopped sweet red bell pepper 1  cucumber, peeled, cut in half…

  • bowl of guac
    healthy - recipes - The Cocoon

    Rad Recipes: Killer Guacamole (GF, V)

    November 19, 2016 - By 

    This recipe will be a hit at your next gathering! (Serves 8)  Perfect with corn chips, as a topping for sandwiches & burgers, or to take your tacos, nachos, burritos over the top.  It’s super easy to make and tastes amazing! 3 large ripe Avocados 1-2 limes 1/2 small red onion 6 ripe cherry tomatoes fresh cilantro 1-2 fresh mild, medium or hot chill peppers 1/2 cup regular (full fat) sour cream 1 clove fresh garlic, minced EVOO Sea Salt Fresh Cracked Black Pepper Peel the onion and remove seeds from 1 chili pepper; roughly chop together on a large…

  • bowl of guac
    healthy - recipes - The Cocoon

    Rad Recipes: Dairy-Free Killer Guacamole (DF, GF, V, VG, P)

    November 19, 2016 - By 

    This dairy-free version of my Killer Guacamole is so good, you won’t even miss the dairy. (Serves 8)  Perfect with corn chips, as a topping for sandwiches & burgers, or to take your tacos, nachos, burritos over the top.  It’s super easy to make and tastes amazing! 3 large ripe Avocados 1-2 limes 1/2 small red onion 6 ripe cherry tomatoes fresh cilantro 1-2 fresh mild, medium or hot chill peppers 1 clove garlic, minced EVOO Sea Salt Fresh Cracked Black Pepper   Peel the onion and remove seeds from 1 chili pepper; roughly chop together on a large cutting…

  • immunity boost smoothie bowl
    healthy - recipes - The Cocoon

    Rad Recipes: Immunity Boost Super-food Breakfast Bowl (GF, V,)

    November 18, 2016 - By 

    I love how easy & portable smoothies are but sometimes I get tired of literally sucking down my meal. Sometimes I just want to sit with a big yummy bowl of goodness! Turning a traditional smoothie into a breakfast bowl is an incredibly simple twist on a quick & healthy meal. This is the first one I made into a bowl and couldn’t wait to share it with you!   (It’s so pretty! AND it tastes great at just about 350 calories). 1 cup  Organic Blueberries (fresh or frozen) 1/2 cup Organic French yogurt (or Greek) with pineapple 1/2 cup Organic…

  • healthy - recipes - The Cocoon

    Rad Recipes: Big Meaty Balls! (P, GF*)

    October 20, 2016 - By 

    *In order to make this recipe Gluten Free, you can swap all-purpose GF flour + dried Italian seasoning for the bread crumbs, or click here to use my affiliate link to get these Michelle Farms Gluten Free Italian Bread Crumbs! I made these A-MAZE-BALLS meatballs using organic, lean ground turkey and I was a little worried that they would be too dry. Nope- they were moist and juicy and delicious, and they also passed The Chad Test so I know they’re good!  (To be fair, he always loves my cooking- but the man can be a pretty picky eater so…

  • brain training - healthy - inspiration - life challenge

    Step Into the Fire, Pt. 2

    October 12, 2016 - By 

    Click here to read Step Into the Fire, Pt. 1 Last week I did something CRAY CRAY. (Well, at least for me.) I have been wanting to do a photo shoot with yoga poses for my website but have kept talking myself out of it for the past year. So many excuses! Fear plays a good mind game, yes? But not this time.  This time, I realized my vision of me posing outside, literally on a sidewalk, in front of a huge graffiti mural. No tranquil beach scenes, no Crow, no palm trees gently swaying at sunset. Just me, my…

  • blessings - healthy - inspiration - life challenge - self help

    Step Into the Fire (Pt. 1)

    October 5, 2016 - By 

    Today I did something way out of my comfort zone that I’ve envisioned doing for a while, but had been too scared to attempt.  It was one of those things that I really wanted to do, but kept talking myself out of by mentally postponing it. “I’ll do that when I have more time/lose some weight/am stronger/blah blah blah.” You ever play that game with yourself? The one where fear wins and desire loses? Yeah. That game sucks! Anyway- in my role as an empowerment expert, I am all about encouraging people to keep reaching for their big dreams by…

  • brain training - Friday Feels - healthy - inspiration - life challenge - self help

    #FridayFeels Accomplished 

    September 30, 2016 - By 

    On September 1, I started my 30 Day Challenge which included a 10 minute daily walk, daily gratitude journaling, and eliminating certain foods from my daily diet (no sugar, dairy, grains, or alcohol).  Aside from the total of 5 days of planned travel in which I released my food restrictions (4 in NOLA, 1 in Vegas), I was able to stick to my Challenge in all three areas! I’m feeling pretty accomplished and I have to say, pretty darn proud of myself. On this final day of my Challenge, here are my observations: This wasn’t about counting calories or weight…

  • kale apple crunch salad
    healthy - recipes

    That Was Delicious, But Now My Gut Hates Me

    September 20, 2016 - By 

    Hello Loves! After a wonderful long weekend in New Orleans eating ALL the delicious things (and more than a few adult beverages) my body is BEGGING me for a detox & reset. As you might know, I am about halfway through my 30 Day Challenge and it is going great!  However, I had planned my trip before planning my Challenge, so I knew that I would release myself from the restrictions over my 4 days in NOLA.   My mouth LOVED it.  My gut, eh, not so much. And my brain could use a fog lift as well.  And my…