Shut Up Your Critter Brain

“Critter Brain.” We all have it – it’s the part of you that is HESITANT right now to change. Let me explain what it does and why it does it.

Imagine you’re about to invest in something that you need and want so that you can improve your life in some way. Without fail, our Critter Brain pops up and asks us questions like “Is it really worth it?” “It’s expensive so maybe you should wait until you have more money” “It’s going to take a lot of your precious time” etc, etc. The reason your critter brain is saying this is because it’s trying to protect you. It thinks anything new is a threat. Our CB is often what stops us from our full potential. When investing in myself, I had to acknowledge my Critter Brain and tell it to shut up. My REAL brain and my heart know better. So if you’re considering any sort of change and know how amazing it is going to be, try to shush up that Critter Brain who is telling you that it’s not worth it. It’s trying to keep you in your comfort zone but I can tell you that your comfort zone is NOT where the magic happens. Know that you have more control than your Critter Brain and that it can shut the hell up! 

Broc & Cheese

As many of you know, mac & cheese has pretty much always been my thing. Was my go-to meal for years, and to this day, I can't pass up a good serving of the cheesy goodness. The way I think about it, I could either eat mac & cheese or replace the mac with the broc(coli) and feel a little less guilty about it. Some would argue that it defeats the purpose eating a vegetable if you slather it in cheese, but I think it's a better alternative and that you should be excited about what you eat. Here we go:
 

Ingredients:
-Broccoli (however much your heart desires)
-Butter
-Shredded cheese
-Cayenne pepper or any other spices you like

Super Easy Directions:
1. Cut up & wash broccoli florets 
2. Spray & heat up frying pan, throw the broccoli in and cover for 3-4 minutes. They should be a bright green color. 
3. Butter a casserole dish, pour in broccoli and cover with shredded cheese. Generously. Sprinkle cayenne for some spice.
4. Bake @ 250 for about 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and turning golden brown. 
5. Let cool and enjoy. Congrats, you're eating veggies that are actually delicious!

Presents < Being Present

Not too long ago, I wrote about being present. Now, days before the holidays, I can't think of a better time for us to remind ourselves about how important it is. Through all the craziness of buying and wrapping presents, it's easy to get lost in the materialism of it all. This year, I'm going to wear my amethyst ring as an anchor, remind myself to breathe more consciously, and try to notice all the little things. 

Growing up, I never truly appreciated what it meant to have everyone at home with nothing on the agenda but cooking and eating good food, listening to music and being together. This year, after being around the world and back, I'm really appreciating it all. I hope each of you reading this has a wonderful time with your families and friends this week. Catch ya on the flip side right before the new year for some resolutions!

Breakfast Taco Scramble

Going hand-in-hand with my quinoa scramble post back in September, I wanted to share a new simple recipe for a breakfast scramble.

Ingredients:

Black beans
Cooked quinoa
Eggs (I usually use 2 per person)
Cheese 
Taco seasoning (I use the kind from Trader Joe's)

Directions:

1. Heat frying pan to medium heat, spray with non-stick cooking spray and add black beans. Cook covered for 2-3 minutes.
2. Turn up the heat to medium-high. Add cooked quinoa and eggs, mix often.
3. Add taco seasoning (to taste) and cheese and cook until eggs are done.
4. Serve as is or on toast or an english muffin. Enjoy!