health

Homemade Mayonnaise.

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I have been working on making homemade mayonnaise without much success. Honestly, I almost gave up. I am so glad that I didn’t.  Last week, I mentioned my mayo problem at OutdoorFit. Andrea said she found a great easy recipe on The Movement Menu, that comes out  every time.

I was out of mayonnaise this morning. I wanted to make a cucumber basil avocado salad for lunch. I tried The Movement Menu’s recipe. It is a winner!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup organic avocado oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 lemon juiced, or I used 1 tsp apple cider vinegar.

Instructions

  • In a glass jar or a 1 cup glass Pyrex cup, (the container matters. It should be narrow so the blender fits snugly) pour in the avocado oil. Add the egg to the oil and let the ingredients settle for 1 minute. I then added the rest of the ingredients to the cup.
  • Take an immersion blender and let it touch the bottom of the container, piercing the egg yolk completely.
  • Turn the immersion blender on and leave it on the bottom for about 20-30 seconds, until the whole bottom has turned white in color.
  • VERY SLOWLY lift it up to continue emulsifying. This process should take anywhere between 30 seconds to 1 minute. Continue blending until the mixture has thickened to your desired amount.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

 

cucumber basil

Cucumber Basil Avocado salad with homemade mayonnaise.

Get out the Rolling Pin! Alice’s Flatbread.

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I have been cooking from Alice Waters’, My Pantry. Normally, I am thrilled if I can find 3 recipes in a cookbook that I enjoy. I’ve already found 3 in Alice Waters’ book, and there are so many more I want to try. They are great and easy to make. Last week, it was Oat Pancakes. This week it is all about flatbread! I don’t eat much bread. On the weekends, I might enjoy it as a treat. I love making my own because there are no plastic bags involved and of course it is delicious!

Sunday, we had pulled organic chicken and flatbread for dinner.

Here is Alice’s recipe.  

Alice encourages you to try different flours. I used organic white. It is really important to buy organic flour. (You don’t want your flour sprayed with glyphosate.) Spend a few more dollars, support the organic farmers and yourself!

2 cups flour

1 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup warm water

3 TBS extra-virgin olive oil

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, salt and baking powder together. Stir in the water and the oil. Knead briefly to form a soft moist dough. Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and allow to rest for 30 minutes.

Do you have a rolling pin? It is time to get it out!  Divide the dough into 16 balls. On a lightly floured surface roll each ball into a 3 x 6  inch oval. My flatbread didn’t roll into perfect 3 x 6″ ovals. It is okay.

Alice uses a cast iron pan and medium heat to make her flat bread. I used my griddle and it worked fine. Cook 2 minutes, flip and cook 2 more minutes. Wrap flatbread in a kitchen towel to let the bread moisten with the steam.

I put my leftovers into a glass pyrex dish.  They were all gone the next day.

Enjoy!

Mary

“Homemade Ingredients That Make Simple Meals Your Own.”

A Touch of Craziness!

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I have been feeling antsy lately. Is what I am doing important? Is this how I want to spend my time, or should I be doing something else? Sometimes I feel like I want more for myself. When I stop and really think about it, I realize I do want more. I want to create more space in my life. I want more quiet time. I have decided that following my joy is the answer. I love to stay home. I enjoy doing my own work. Painting the kitchen different shades of white makes me happy. It feels like a work of art to me. This week, I washed and ironed our linen bedroom curtains, composted, and made roasted pepper and tomato soup. I also taught 3 OutdoorFit classes. I have a great group of ladies, all over 50, who show up in crazy weather to workout. A cold and windy OutdoorFit workout brings me joy and happiness. I love the touch of craziness.

Earlier this week, I went to my friend Diane’s  house  to pick up 2 bags of composted leaves. Does that sound like an odd way to spend your time? Diane sold her beautiful home.  She is moving to an 11 acre lot to build a passive home and grow organic vegetables.  She didn’t think the new owners would appreciate her large composted leaf pile. She sent me a text, inviting me to stop by and help myself. I was so excited.

I went back the next day, and picked up 2 galvanized tubs full of compost. Why does this make me happy?

  • I love the connection with my friend.
  • I love the touch of craziness about it.
  • I love that the composted leaves will attract earthworms to my gardens. They are an indicator and creator of healthy soil.
  • I love the efficiency of using leaves to make compost for your gardens.

Gardening season is coming soon, but I really would love a good snow storm first.

Embrace your joy, step aside and watch what happens! It is contagious. What do you love to do? How do you like to spend your day? Would you like to connect with amazing women who love a touch of craziness? Come try an OutdoorFit workout! There is a fun class Saturday morning at 7:30.

Love,

Mary

My pitchfork is over 70 years old. It belonged to Dan’s Grandfather. A treasure!

 

 

My Mom ran the NYC marathon at 56!

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Last night my Dad sent a photo of my Mom running the NYC marathon at 56.  I love this picture of her. The Grand-kids call her Nana. I guess the printer decided to shorten it to NAN. She started running in her early 50’s. Many years ago, my husband Dan and I were running races. My Mom and Dad thought they would start running as well. It was a lot of fun.

Mom is now 88. She no longer runs, but continues to work out at the Y. She is an amazing person. She is a mother of 8 children, 23 grandchildren and 10 great grand-kids! She loves us all and remembers all of our birthdays!

My Mom is Fit and Fabulous…Aging Optional!

Have you thought of trying something new and you think that you are too old? You will never know unless you try.  I hope this short post about my Mom inspires you. Give it a try.

Love,

Mary

 

 

Wendy’s 90 Days to Fit and Fabulous!

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This morning Wendy came over for bulletproof coffee. She had just finished the 90 day Fit and Fabulous Gold Program, and was ready for her final weigh in and measurements.  Wendy wasn’t overly concerned about her weight. Her main goal was  to lose her menopausal pooch. She was feeling a bit matronly and pudgy around the middle. Her beautiful clothes were getting tight.

BIG NEWS! She lost 2 inches off of her waist, and 1 inch off her hips! Wendy also lost 4 pounds.  She has easily changed her habits and is confident that this will be a life long program. Wendy has committed to almost daily meditation, and is feeling centered and grounded throughout her day.

 

It has been so great to work with Wendy. She started the program in good health. She was able to change a few habits and now her daily life is even better! Wendy is the youngster in my OutdoorFit program. She is certainly Fit and Fabulous…Aging Optional!

February is the perfect month to start the 90 Day Fit and Fabulous Gold Program. How would you like to feel 3 months from now?  Energetic? Lighter? Vibrant? Reach out let’s have a conversation to see if the program is right for you.

Wendy made me a Beautiful Wendy Cettina Design thank you scarf. The yarn is by Madeline Tosh. The color is Graphite and the pattern is Fractal Danger. How cool is that?

Mountain Climbers in my Fancy Tights!

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Last week, my niece Katie came for a visit. She took me shopping at Old Navy.  “Aunt Mary, you need a change from black tights.” I wasn’t sure when I bought them. I wore them to OutdoorFit and I love them! They are fancy compression tights. I feel energized, able to run faster, jump higher, Super Woman and so much fun! Thanks Kate!

Here is a 4  minute HIIT workout for you. HIIT is great, work hard, recover and go again. It is a very effective workout to boost your metabolism. It can be done anytime, anywhere and no equipment necessary! Give it a try!

I love mountain climbers. Mountain Climbers are a fabulous full body workout and easy on your back.

Come try OutdoorFit! Click here for new schedule.

Love,

Mary

NUT FUDGE

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I have been making Nut Fudge for a quick go to snack. I have been increasing the Fat and reducing the grains and sugar. It is my new healthy sustainable lifestyle!

Here is the Basic Recipe. (Add you own pet touches.)

1 Stick organic grass fed butter

1/2 cup coconut oil

8 drops stevia

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup chopped raw nuts

2 scoops of protein powder (I use soy or whey protein.)

Melt the butter and coconut oil in sauce pan. Add the rest of the ingredients. I spread the fudge into a 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate.  Cut into small squares.

The Nut Fudge is high in calories. It won’t cause a spike in your blood sugar. Enjoy a small piece.

Recipe based on Dr. Mercola’s Recipe.

Creativity

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I love creative people. They are inspiring to me. I look up creative people on you tube and Ted talk. I am interested in what they have to say. I have tried different things in my life. I took a pottery class and and made a few beautiful heavy lopsided bowls. A few fortunate love ones got them as a Christmas gift. One year, everyone received a handmade scarf or cap for Christmas. Stunning.  I had my own business Khaki & Moss where I made cute bags and also bought other people’s products and put my label on it. It was creative but not exactly 100% my own artwork.

I have friends like Wendy Cettina who create their own beautiful clothing. Alyssa Truckenbrod can make a bar of soap.  Elizabeth (I call her Beth) Harbaugh can walk into a room, rearrange, simplify and make it a work of art. Veronique of OceanRock Design can create a beautiful bag out of vintage World War 2 material.

All very inspiring, I am not sure where this is going but I know creativity is linked to my happiness. I have decided that I can clean, shine my kitchen sink and put out a bar of handmade soap right next to a lopsided bowl. That is CREATIVITY for me. Simple, Easy and Beautiful!

Creativity

Creativity

Health Coach Tip of the DAY!

Do something that inspires you. Plant a pot of red geraniums, clean out your sock drawer or rearrange a book shelf. Tell me what works for you! How does it make you feel?