Goal Book ~ Page 2

Last week I started a Goal Book using Mixed Media and I reached all 5 of my goals.  This is what this weeks Goals are...but before I elaborate on this weeks goals...here's a short recap on last week...1 was to write at least 5 articles - I at least doubled that!  Another goal was to make at least 1 'World Foods' dish - I did 3 or 4 of them.  Then I wrote 'Start A Vision Board' - I started one but it's in the very beginning stages still.  I wanted to breathe more...more deep breaths...I was able to do that.  Then, finally, I wanted to laugh/smile more...I also did that.  Hubby and I started watching Brooklyn 99 on Hulu+ and it's sooooo funny!  Nice way to unwind at the end of the day.

So on to this week!  #1 on my list is to get back into Yoga.  Any kind of yoga!  I mostly do Kripalu Yoga but am open to others.  I also enjoy Yoga Trance Dance that was made popular by Shiva Rea.  #2 on my list this week is to visit my parents.  This isn't unusual for me - I try and get over to their place once a week or every other week - but - it's still a goal.  #3 is to send at least 3 "Thank You" Emails to people and places that I think are doing 'good things'.  It's so often we hear the complaints and not the GOOD feedback and I want to change that.  #4 is to text at least 3 friends that I haven't chatted with in a while.  I have two in mind as I type this.  Finally - #5 is to concentrate on LARGE salads for dinners most of this week!

Not only did I reach all of my goals last week - I have a good start on the ones for this week - AND - I found myself accomplishing a lot of OTHER things around the house and at work that I didn't include in my Goal Book!  I'm VERY pleased so far with this project!

Marley Mania, When I Was A Dancer & Product Reviews - Barre Bars, SunRidge Farms Cashews, & New Earth Raw Crackers

I was in Dance for 8+ years when I was younger.  So was my sister!  I took 7+ years of "Jazz" and a year of "Tap" in the middle.  Here is a photo of a Scrapbooking Page Layout from years ago!  If you click on it you can enlarge it and read the journaling part.  I started my "Dance Career" as a student of Sylvia McDonald and her sister.  We attended Sylvia's School of Dance in Lockport, NY.  I enjoyed dance very much and will always remember - especially my early Dance Days - as a great time!  When we moved - we had to change Dance Schools.  It wasn't as fun or memorable and contributed to my overall decision to end my Dance "Career".  I still think about Sylvia and her dance studio and how much fun I had and I wish every school was as good AND FUN as hers!  Fast Forward Ahead - to present day!  When I saw Barre Food Bars online I knew I wanted to try them!  Not only because they were vegan but because they were made with athletes in mind!  They were MADE by Dancers but are enjoyed by nearly everyone and now I can say I am officially a fan of them, too!

The one I would like to tell you about today is their Pirouette Cinnamon Pecan. 

Pirouette Cinnamon Pecan is our original Barre flavor. The classic pairing of cinnamon and nuts stars in this chewy, ooey, gooey bar—think crumb cake meets cookie dough. A great, satisfying snack to power you through 32 fouettes, 100 crunches, or even just the midday office slump!

Ingredients

dates, walnuts, pecans, agave nectar, hemp seed, rolled oats, hemp protein, ground flax seed,brown rice protein, vanilla, cinnamon, sea salt, peanuts.

 I really enjoy this bar!  It's sweet but not as sweet as the Berry one I tried and will be officially reviewing in the near future, too!  It has a nutty and grainy texture with a nice and even smoothness to it as well!  The cinnamon is gentle but still noticeable!  I found this to be chewy - but creamy - too!  And it's NOT hard on the teeth with is always a PLUS!  As I continued to eat it the dates come into the play more and it was fantastic!  Then...the Sweet combo of Agave and Date!  Totally YUMMY!  My favorite part about this is that is was totally satisfying WITHOUT being over filling which is EXACTLY what the creators had in mind!  After eating this - you can go about your Dance, Yoga, and other athletic activities!  As an after thought there is a pleasant pecan/peanut aftertaste that lingers, nicely, too!

I really LOVE their website, too!  It's way-more than 'just' a place to buy their food bars!  It's a nice place to go to reminisce about dance!  The photo's are awesome!  PLUS - they are charitable!  Just take a look at this!

Last night my mother gave me a re-useable bag with Bob Marley on it.  I've always been a fan of Bob - he was taken from this world way-too-soon BUT his kids and other family members are doing a wonderful job of keeping his memory alive!  Speaking of Charity - this man and everyone in his family are VERY Charitable - yet another reason I love them!  I'm a fan of their Mellow Mood Teas on occasion and have reviewed them over on The Sororitea Sisters Site.

I have about 15 Bob Marley CDs and various collectibles throughout my home.  I was very excited to get this bag from my parents!  I'm told I my Dad scored me a Life-Sized Cardboard Cut-Out that I should be receiving in the next month or two, too!  Exciting!

Here's a photo of me in Florida at the Bob Marley Cafe inside Universal Studio's back in 2006!  I remember having a wonderful vegetarian plate of Stuffed Peppers and Yuca Fries and a smoothie!

 Another Snack I have been into lately are these babies!  SunRidge Farms Thai Curry Cashews!  They are AWESOME!  Not just awesome EXTREMELY AWESOME, actually!  The Cashews - themselves - are softer than 'standard or store bought' cashews but are completely fresh!  You can really TASTE the freshness!  There is a HINT of salt and a nice medium-strength curry flavor!  Not too hot - bit a speck of spice to keep you coming back for more!  They leave a nice 'warming' aftertaste, too!  I won't lie!  These didn't last long in my stash as I kept eating them by the fist full and couldn't wait to jump right in and have some more!  Another aspect of this company I LOVE is how GREEN they are!  I mean...check this out...

Here are just a few ways that we live green:

• Our warehouse is equipped with a 99kW solar panel system
• Seventeen delivery trucks have been converted to renewable biodiesel fuel
• Low-flow water-saving devices have been incorporated into our offices and manufacturing plant
• Recycling programs include corrugated cardboard box, ink-jet cartridges, office paper, plastics, and shrink wrap
• Our state-of-the-art purification and ventilation system has improved air quality throughout our operations

As far as the specifics with the Thai Curry Cashews - batch roasted cashews are tossed in exotic all natural spices cumin, turmeric, paprika and cayenne pepper...YUM!!!!

I do have one more thing to share with you today!  These little gems!  They are (Raw) Chipotle Chia Crackers from New Earth and they are WONDERFUL! 

They are VERY hard and crunchy but fairly easy to 'snap-off' a smaller bit if you don't want to eat that specific sized cracker!

I did break them up a bit and took smaller bites of each.  There is a good amount of mass to them and they ARE quite filling!  Not only are their Chia Seeds in these but Sprouted Buckwheat which I want to incorporate more of into my diet!  The Chipotle Flavor has just the right amount of heat to it!  They are savory and delicious!  They make a nice snack or munchie and stand alone you can also crush them into soups and salads! 

They are RAW, Vegan, Gluten-Free, and say "Texan-Proud: Go Texan" on the bag!  Also printed on the bag was "Made with gratitude and sprinkled with enthusiasm."  I totally LOVE that!

Product Description

Our Chipotle Chia Crackers have 20 grams of plant-strong protein per bag!!!

Made with sprouted buckwheat and chia seed, our crackers are hearty, thick and crispy.  They have a Medium Spice and taste great with guacamole, salads and hummus!
Each bag contains 20 grams of protein and 2.2 grams of omega 3's per serving.  Arriba!
Our Chipotle Chia Crackers are amazing with guacamole, hummus, or your favorite dip.

Our ingredients:
organic sprouted buckwheat, organic red bell pepper, organic chia seeds, nutritional yeast flakes, pure water, wildcrafted himalayan pink salt, organic chipotle powder.

Other ingredients: Joy, celebration and fun!

Another thing I like about this company is their 8 Windows To Awaken Your Super Conscious Life Page.

So...after all of this...I have one question for you...ARE YOU HUNGRY YET!?