It’s a little weird, I know. You don’t normally associate carrot muffins with Valentine’s Day. BUT, there is a special ingredient in this healthy recipe that IS tied to this celebration of love.

I’ll give you one guess as to what this secret love ingredient is… It usually comes in a heart-shaped box at this time of year…

That’s right – chocolate!

Not only does dark chocolate have a whack of antioxidants and other health benefits, it also contains substances which affect our brain chemistry in a very good way:

• Releases feel-good endorphins, our natural opiates which reduce pain and decrease stress.
• Produces serotonin, neurotransmitters that act as our natural anti-depressants.
• Contains phenylethylamine which increases blood pressure and affects blood-sugar, causing excitement and alertness, similar to what we experience as love.
• Has anandamide, a chemical which works on our dopamine receptors leading to feelings of well-being. It resembles the active ingredient in marijuana (THC) and stimulates the feeling of euphoria.
• Includes theobromine, another chemical which mimics caffeine and stimulates the nervous system. It also has properties that can lead to mental and physical relaxation.

Chocolate Carrot Love Muffins

Makes: 12 muffins

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It’s coming up to the big day of Love. For some, Valentine’s Day is full of meaning, joy and abundance. For others, it can be a painful reminder of love lost. This post is dedicated to everyone who’s ever wondered, “How can love be so fickle?”

If you’re looking for something a little more feel good, please check out these past Live Lighter Valentine’s Day posts: Get Your Love On and Be Healthy and Romance, Chocolate and Health.

For those of you interested in the answer to this age-old question, continue reading. But first, let’s get into the mood with a little Alicia Keys, “Fallin’”:

Why Love Can Be Fickle

How can we fall in and out of love? This is actually a very easy answer.

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Are you happy? Or do you feel stuck in a reoccurring nightmare which you call your life? This post is in honour of Groundhog Day and several lessons learned from the inspiring 90’s movie named after it.

This past weekend I attended a private movie screening of Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a cantankerous weatherman stuck in a time loop where he relives the same day (one he was dreading to begin with) over again.

(This movie screening was hosted by motivational specialist, Emmanuel Lopez – Motivatorman, and included a lively discussion afterward concerning the lessons presented in the movie. For another movie message, read his latest post, Tip #326: The Power of Acknowledgment – Groundhog Day.)

The day, place, people and main events remain the same and no matter what Phil does (including several suicide attempts) he cannot break free from this frustrating cycle.

Sound familiar?

This movie is enlightening (and funny as hell!) for it’s many inspiring messages but the one that’s most significant to this post is it’s mirror of reality: tomorrow never comes.

Think about it: when tomorrow does come, it’s today!

This is a great representation of the wisdom passed on by sages: the past is gone, the future is unknown and today is all we have, that’s why it’s called a gift: the Present.

How does focusing on today help us get what we want?

Although it remains Groundhog Day for Phil Connors throughout the movie, the way the day plays out changes in response to his behaviour, attitude and words. He affects his world everyday based on his choices.

The lesson here is to make daily choices that will bring you closer to the future you want.

“Be, do and say today what you want to experience tomorrow.”

Every day is a new day. You have a chance to change what you do today, for a different tomorrow. You may not see these changes right away, but they will come.

Once you develop a consistent, daily practice of what you want to see in your tomorrow, you’ll wake up one day with exactly what you want!

The trick to getting what you want
(Warning for those who haven’t seen Groundhog Day: do not read this next paragraph.)

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Wishing you and yours a healthy, happy and balanced holiday this season!

If you’re looking for some healthy recipes to try out over the next week or so, check out these past Live Lighter posts:

• Healthy Holiday Meal Alternatives
• Chewy Eatme Bars
• Healthier-For-You Brownie Recipe
• Witches’ Spicy Hot Chocolate
• Kathy’s Healthy Party Mix

We’ll be taking a short break from posting for the holidays but will return in a week’s time. Just in time for The 2010 TV Detox!

(I will be checking intermittently for your 20 minute TV detox plan so we’ll be prepared for this amazingly, fun New Year’s resolution alternative.)

Are you a little anxious about getting the right gift for your beloved health nut(s) this year? No problem. With 2 solid weeks left of shopping and this handy post, all you have to do is mosey on down to the mall and pick ‘em up!

This is Live Lighter’s 3rd holiday season and with this post, it’s now officially become tradition for us to provide you gift ideas for the health nuts in your life.

Upon reviewing past lists, 19 out of the 20 items (the Magic Bullet failed to impress me) remain as valuable and killer as the day they were originally posted:

Top 10 Gifts for a Health Nut (2007)
10 Gift Ideas for Health Nuts (2008)

This year, we’ve decided to give you 12 ideas for added variety based on your budget and your health nut’s level of health nuttedness:

1. Staying Healthy with the Seasons. ($10 – $30) Written by integrated health practitioner, Elson M. Haas, M.D., this book contains fascinating and comprehensive health information combining Eastern and Western medicine. It has health recommendations for each season, a ton of recipes and helpful questionnaires at the back to record your past health, measure progress and even quiz you on the book’s content! It’s so useful that we’ve written about it here, here, here, here and here.
2. Yoga mat & tote bag. ($30 – $120) Buy them as a set or separately. They come in a variety of colours, types, sizes and makes. There are even eco-friendly mats! No need to get overwhelmed, though. I have a basic waffle mat, 1mm thick, that I picked up at Winners for about $25 and not only does it do the job perfectly, it’s lasted for nearly 6 years. (*hint hint* Time for a new one, Honey?) Read the rest of this entry

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Have you ever been impulsive? The emotions surge and we make a snap decision. Sometimes it works out but most times… not so much. This post was inspired by our lovely holiday Bowflex tree and the lessons I reflected on while decorating it.

Now, as much as I appreciate the beauty of our Bowflex tree, I understand that there’s something (maybe a few things) desperately wrong with this picture.

Lesson #1: Try Before You Buy (especially big ticket items)

We’ve had our Bowflex machine for over 2 years now and it’s been used about a dozen times between myself and my hubby.

1st issue: Lack of space. (Hence, a Bowflex tree and not a Christmas tree). This machine is much larger than it looked on The Shopping Channel.

2nd issue: Does not suit our taste or needs. I tried. I really did. I watched the DVD that came with it. I installed and used it’s progress tracking software. Even had a routine but none of it stuck.

Now, the hot Bowflex granny says it worked for her so it may also for you (that’s what I was hoping when we ordered it).  But if our Bowflex taught us just one lesson, it’s to make sure your purchase suits you before investing a chunk of money into it.

By the way, what DID work for me was old-fashioned, accessible (and highly economical) floor work and easy-to-store free weights!

Lesson #2: Beware of Unbelievable Deals

The Home Shopping Network is notorious for it’s remarkable deals. Our Bowflex came with loads of extras, including believable and inspiring testimonials and sharp-talking sales reps.

What really cinched the deal for us was the promise of weight-loss and fit, healthy bodies. The advertising tickled our emotions and desires. We thought that if it worked for these people, it would work for us.

Besides, if we were investing this much money into equipment, surely it would motivate us towards a healthy routine! (We didn’t know at the time that change comes from within, not in `things’ outside ourselves.)

Lesson #3: Respect the Energy of Money

The energy of money is like the energy of food. For health, we want the most nutritious calories because it’s the empty (and less satisfying) calories that adds to our weight and drains us of long-lasting energy.

The same holds true for money. When we exchange our hard-earned money for something we truly value and appreciate, we respect ourselves and the energy of money. When we do this, we invite more quality and money into our lives.

In this case, exercise equipment has fulfilled it’s purpose and added real benefit to our lives when we use it on a regular basis to gain muscle and health. Not as an $1,100 pseudo-Christmas tree.

Moral of the Story

While it’s always recommended to make the most out of every situation (see photo), it’s in our best interest to perform due diligence before purchasing and avoid emotion-based impulses so that we use our resources wisely and consciously.

Have you ever used an impulse buy for something it wasn’t meant to be used for just to appease your guilt for being impulsive? I’d really like to hear your stories so our Bowflex tree doesn’t seem so lame! 

By the way, if you’re in the Toronto area and you think a Bowflex machine will suit you, contact me (stephanie [at] livelighter [dot] ca) and we’ll talk shop.

Isn’t it the best feeling when you see a child’s eyes light up as you offer them candy? If you’re health conscious, however, there’s probably a tiny part of you that cringes because you KNOW what’s in it. With organic candy, there is no guilt!

Pure Fun™ provides “Better For You Candy” to North Americans. Although sugar content is typically high in any candy, Pure Fun manufactures and distributes old-fashioned candy similar to what our parents and grandparents enjoyed as children.

Were there food allergies and intolerances back then? Maybe. But you didn’t really hear much about it.

Today, with all the synthetic ingredients found in most products, it seems like every second person has some sort of digestive or health issue!

Unlike most candy products today, Pure Fun promises their products are:

• USDA Organic Certified (soon to be certified organic in Canada)
• Gluten Free
• GMO Free
• Fair Trade
• Kosher Pareve / Vegan
• Dairy & Casein Free
• Fat Free & Cholesterol Free
• Preservative &  Pesticide Free

There’s a lot of free in that list!

Made with organic brown rice syrup, organic evaporated cane juice, natural flavours (peppermint oil) and natural colours (organic fruit juice), Pure Fun candy is ideal for children and adults who suffer from food allergies and intolerances.

For all this, plus the peace of mind you get from serving such quality, Pure Fun is asking for less than $0.40 for each large candy cane and $0.25 for two mini canes. The retail price of a box of 12 large candy canes will run you about $4 and a box of small candy canes goes for about $14 per pound. 

Now, edible tree bling is one thing but Pure Fun doesn’t stop there.  Check out their products and you might just find a couple of gift ideas in there for the health nuts on your list!

(The Root Beer Barrels are my favourite!)

You can buy Pure Fun candy at Whole Foods and other smart retailers across the U.S. and Canada.

If you’re in the U.S., look for Pure Fun candy canes at Whole Foods, Kroeger and independent natural food stores. If you’re in Toronto, try looking in your local Loblaws and Pharma Plus; and if you’re in Quebec, look for Pure Fun candy canes in Metro and Sobeys!

This holiday season, will you dress your tree up in organic candy canes?

It’s officially December and although there’s no snow yet here in Toronto, Canada, the lights are up and people are humming cheery tunes. It’s beginning to feel a lot like the Holidays! This is the best time to get a jump start on your holiday planning.

Every year we have the best intentions of making the holidays extra special but what usually happens is we overload ourselves and end up stressed. By the time the holidays actually roll around, we’re frazzled, broke and looking for the nearest alcoholic holiday bevvy or calorie-rich treats to calm our nerves.

However, you can actually enjoy the entire month of December with just a little forethought, planning, organizing and a healthy dose of reality!

To help you get started in your holiday planning, here are my 5 handy lists:

1. Holiday Plan. This is the BIG picture. Try visualizing the perfect holidays. Do you see people opening up cards from you and smiling because you cared enough to let them know you’re thinking of them this holiday season? Are you and your family gathered together?  Where are you? What have you brought with you to share in the festivities?

   Now it’s time to work backwards! You’ve got your vision, how will you get there? I divided the page up into the 5 weeks of December and looked to my calendar for holiday parties. I plugged my planned events into each corresponding week and then created weekly goals based on my vision. For instance, this week I have listed: 1) Finalize plan & fill out lists; 2) budget; 3) Send out cards; 4) Finish hanging lights & decorating; and 5) Purchase cookie ingredients & other holiday necessities. Read the rest of this entry

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“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC)

Happy Thanksgiving, America! This special day is set aside for gratitude. Did you know that some people think gratitude is so important that it will change your life? This post explains the power of gratitude and gives you some practical tips for achieving it!

Do you believe in the Law of Attraction? Before dismissing it as New Age hooplah, look to your own experience for evidence of it.

For instance, when you genuinely smile at someone, do you not usually receive one in return? When you’re grumpy, don’t you notice that most often people will react in kind?

The Law of Attraction is at work whether we accept or deny it. There is one key element about the Law of Attraction when using it to improve your life: emotional energy.

Positive emotions (like joy, abundance, gratitude and love) net you positive results.

Armed with this knowledge and in honour of Thanksgiving in the U.S., the easiest way to begin using the Law of Attraction to your benefit is being grateful. I know what you’re saying. “How can I be grateful for everything in my life when I’m not?”

Well, you don’t have to be grateful for everything in your life. The secret is to focus on and appreciate the aspects of your life that you ARE grateful for. By loving your life now, according to the Law of Attraction, you’ll love your life later!

From The Secret, Daily Teachings, Day 295:

Gratitude is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to transform your life. If you become truly grateful, you will magnetize everything you need, wherever you go, and in everything you do. In fact, without gratitude, nothing can ever change. Your life will change to the degree that you use gratitude an begin to feel grateful. If you are just a little bit grateful, your life will change just a little bit. If you are very grateful, your life will change a lot. It’s up to you.

So now that we understand the power of gratitude, how do we apply this to our daily lives? Let’s start off with awareness:

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It’s All Hallow’s Eve where the veil between this reality and the spirit world becomes thin (or so Celtic legend goes). Once you carve your scary pumpkin into a jack o’ lantern to stave off the evil spirits, save the seeds for a healthy Halloween treat!

Loaded with protein, fiber and essential vitamins (such as high quantities of manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, tryptophan, iron, copper, vitamin K and zinc), pumpkin seeds are as delicious as they are nutritious. (Click here for a nutrient analysis).

Although I usually go with the Cajun spice, this year I thought we might try something a little more smokey rather than spicy! Try out this roasted pumpkin seed recipe and let us know what you think:

Smokey Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients

1-2 cups pumpkin seeds from a fresh Halloween pumpkin
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp sea salt

Preparation

1. Rinse seeds and pick out any remaining pumpkin guts.
2. Soak seeds overnight. (If you have time, this makes the seeds crispier when roasted.)
3. Lay seeds out on wax paper to dry.
4. Preheat oven to 375ºF.
5. In a bowl, combine dry seeds and remaining ingredients. Toss until coated.
6. On a baking sheet, spread seeds out in one layer.
7. Bake for about 30 minutes, stirring once, until golden brown.
8. Enjoy!

Do you have any roasted pumpkin seed recipes to share? Leave them in the comments below. Happy Halloween!