Snack Pack

Isn't there something about smelling other people's delicious food that makes you want to eat EXACTLY what they're eating IMMEDIATELY?!

This has become a regular experience for me in the last few months. My yoga teacher training happens to take place above a Panera Bread and Starbucks. While normally I bring my own food, there is something about watching other people drink their lattes and eat their soup out of a bread bowls that I can't resist!

One item that I have been a frequent consumer of is Starbucks' Protein Bistro Box. This box contains
a hard boiled egg, cheddar cheese, honey peanut butter spread, multi grain bread, apples and grapes. Sounds like just the thing a diabetic needs when doing 6 straight hours of yoga, right? 

Starbucks' Protein Bistro Box

Except it costs seven dollars. Seven dollars?! Yes, seven dollars! For essentially something I can make myself for 50 cents. Okay, maybe not 50 cents, but definitely for significant less then $7.

Challenge......accepted!

Here is my version of the Protein Bistro Box.

Isn't it cute?

My version of the Protein Bistro Box contains:
1 Jonagold apple - $.65
1 hard-boiled egg - $.25
1/4 c roasted peanuts - $.25 (though I could just as easily put in a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter)
2 slices of 2% milk cheddar cheese - ~$.75
1 Grab & Go Orange Oatmeal Cupcake - ~ $.75

For a whopping grand total of $2.65.

Take that Starbucks!

Dates: Nature's Candies

I love dates. Not the dinner and a movie kind, but the ones that slightly resemble insects.

I've totally turned you off to dates now. But really, they're awesome despite their bug-like appearance. Okay, the last time I refer to them like that, I promise. 

I've talked about the benefits of dates before. But just for ha-ha's, here is my spiel again. Dates are an excellent source of carbohydrates, contain no cholesterol, are high in fiber, and boast a wide range of nutrients. They aid in digestion and help to regulate blood sugar levels. They also make an excellent all natural sweetener. 

I pretty much covet any recipes that use dates as its sweetener. Luckily, all of the crunchy, granola-munching blogs I obsess follow provide me with plenty of options. 

In constant pursuit of the perfect snack to bring with me to Yoga Teacher Training, these Peppermint Patty Bars on Oh She Glows have been begging to get in my belly! After a recent trip to BJ's and the purchase of a 3 lb bag of dates, it was on! 

Peppermint Patty Bars

by Bonnie Graham

Keywords: vegetarian sugar-free dates oats nuts

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Ingredients (12 small bars)

• 1 c packed, pitted Medjool dates (approx 12)
• 1 c rolled oats
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 c hemp seed (or protein powder)
• 1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt, or to taste
• 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp milk
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract, or to taste
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 3 tbsp chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap. Set aside.

2. In a food processor, process the pitted dates until chopped and sticky.

3. Add in the rolled oats, cocoa powder, protein powder, salt, peppermint extract, and milk. Process until combined, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed.

4. Finally, add in the nuts, and chocolate chips and pulse until combined and sticky. It should be sticky enough to easily make a ball. If it's too dry, add some milk. If it's too wet, add some oats.

5. Add mixture to loaf pan, smushing evenly into the pan.

6. Freeze for about 15 minutes or until set. Slice into 6 rows and then slice rows in half to make 12 small bars.

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Snacky Snack

I have a goal to never puke on my yoga mat. I think it's a good goal. It's something that's generally frowned upon in the yoga community.

When my Yoga Teacher Training started two weekends ago, I knew I needed to come up with some light, healthy snacks that were portable, good on the blood sugar, and wouldn't make me want to hurl in the middle of my Downward Facing Dog.

What I came up with were this cookies, inspired by Dr. Oz. Dr. Oz has started to make a strange appearance in our household lately. Mostly because Jerry has decided he is a middle-aged housewife who just loves Dr. Oz.

I have to admit, his show can be pretty engaging. Especially since he often tauts a lifestyle we already live, which includes a non-processed, whole foods diet with plenty of physical activity. You can keep this recipe in line with that philosophy by using plant-based protein powder and unrefined sugar.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Cookies

by Bonnie Graham

Cook Time: 10 - 12 minutes

Keywords: bake snack vegetarian oats peanut butter

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Ingredients (12 cookies)

• 1/3 c natural peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp sucanat (unrefined sugar)
• 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 c oats
• 2/3 c ground flaxseed meal
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix together eggs, sucanat, applesauce, peanut butter and vanilla.

3. Add protein powder, oats, flax meal, salt, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice, if using.

4. Drop spoonfuls dough onto parchment-lined cookie sheet.

5. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown.

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Hi, I'm Bonnie and I'm a Diabetic.....

On the first day of yoga teacher training, we were paired off as an icebreaker to get to know one another. The person you were paired with was the one was going to introduce you to the rest of the group and then vice versa. Because of the odd number of students, we had three in our group. 

As we went around asking each other where we were from and what we did as our day jobs, I wondered if I should share that I am type 1 diabetic. Do I introduce myself as though I'm at an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting? Hi, I'm Bonnie and I'm a diabetic? Would a purpose be served in sharing this information? 

I am really of two minds about it. One mind feels like this is private information that a room full of strangers don't necessarily need to know. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed. Hell, I don't even mind questions, but no one else seems to announce any of their preexisting health conditions. Right? 

The other mind says that it could be useful information in this setting. It's a safety issue, really. Any person involved in the teaching and training of others in a physical way should be aware of these health conditions, what issues might come up in class, and why it's good to know. I will be telling all the instructors so they know why I walk away from my mat in the middle of a Sun Salutation to eat applesauce. Another reason to share is that I like being an advocate for diabetes awareness, especially type 1, since so few seem to have accurate information about it. 

As time ticked down on our ice-breaker in class, the decision needed to be made on whether or not to share. I decided against it. I figured it would all come out in time. After all, I wear my pump during class, keep honey packets by my mat, and frequently check my blood sugar. Some smartypants will put it together.   At some point, when I actually know all these people's names, it will be a no-brainer. 

Until then....hi, I'm Bonnie and I like yoga. 

Coping Mechanism

Urdvahastasana
Uttenasana
Urdvah Mukhasvasana
Adho Mukhasvasana

No, that's not Jackson walking across my laptop. Nor am I having a stroke. Those are actually words. In Sanskrit. If you think spelling them is hard, try saying them. To a roomful of people.

This is what the first weekend of Yoga Teacher Training held for me. While this first weekend was exciting, interesting, and energizing, it was also overwhelming and intimidating. On the third day of our training, we had to "teach" each other the poses of Sun Salutation A. If you have ever taken a yoga class before, this is a pretty common set of poses. Even my father knows Downward Dog. What is not so common is saying the Sanskrit names for each pose to a room of 20 people!

In preparation for my teaching debut on Sunday morning, I did what I normally do to calm my nerves and kill some time. I cooked my little heart out!

For me, cooking serves many purposes. Besides the obvious need for nourishment, cooking is a way of coping with something that may be stressful, of releasing energy, of procrastinating. Maybe you can tell from the photo below just how much "coping" I needed since I cooked enough food for a small army.

In case you can't read my chicken scratch, I made:

• Applesauce
• Beer Bread
• Spicy Broccoli + Red Lentil Dal
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Cookies
• Tomato Pepita Sauce
• Bean-stuffed Poblano Peppers

All before leaving for my training at 1 PM. In.Sane.

One of the dishes I made used my fresh farmer's market broccoli. Yay! This dish is spicy. If spice isn't your thang, feel free to adjust the spices to your liking.

Spicy Broccoli and Red Lentil Dal

by Bonnie Graham

Keywords: entree vegetarian red lentils broccoli

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Ingredients (4 servings)

• 1 c red lentils
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp mustard seeds
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 c chopped fresh broccoli
• 2 1/2 c vegetable broth
• 2 c milk
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice + lemon wedges for garnish
• 2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 1/2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp tumeric
• paprika, to garnish

Instructions

1. Add oil to a large saucepan over medium heat. Add in the uncooked lentils, chopped sweet onion, cumin, and mustard seeds. Cook on low-medium heat for about 6-9 minutes until the mixture begins to sizzle.

3. While this mixture is cooking, roughly chop the florets. Place stems and florets into a food processor and process to desired consistency.

3. Add broccoli and veggie broth to saucepan. Stir well. Add salt.

4. Cover and cook this mixture on low for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. After about 20 minutes, add in milk, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, red pepper flakes, curry powder, and additional salt (to taste) if necessary.

6. Cook on low for another 10 minutes. Serve.

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Namaste, Bitches.

I've done it. I'm taking the plunge.
No, I'm not engaged and I'm not pregnant.
I am even better then those things! I'm a yoga teacher. Yay!

Okay, okay, I'm not quite a yoga teacher yet. But I will be soon.

The plunge I am taking is into a 200-hour yoga teacher training with my favorite yoga studio, The Yoga Room in Astoria, starting this Friday.

I love yoga. I've been practicing for over 7 years now and I'm always amazed at what a difference yoga makes in my life. Besides the physical affects of feeling more fit, lean, and flexible, yoga also has an amazing impact on my mind as it reduces my anxiety, calms me down, and makes me more midnful.

Over the last few years, becoming a yoga teacher has become more and more appealing to me. I had just discussed what a life-changing experience it would be when my old yoga studio in Astoria sent out an e-mail annoucing its next 200-hour teacher training. I took it as a sign. Isn't that very yogi of me?

So I applied! With much anxiety. It's quite the commitment. It's two weekends a month on Friday evenings and all day on Saturday and Sundays for four months. In addition to the actual teacher training, I also need to practice at the studio at least three times a week. Eek!

As the days have ticked down to its actual start date, my anxiety has started to increase. Will I have the time? Will I be in shape enough? Will I be passing out every three hours from hypoglyemia?! Just kidding, Mom.

Now that it's finally here, I am really excited....and slightly overwhelmed. Here's to the next step in this crazy adventure.

Namaste, bitches.