Pumpkin Head

Alright guys, so... even though fall does NOT come to Florida, I am bringing it.... how, you might ask? PUMPKIN EVERYTHING!

Pumpkin is sooooo good for you! Pumpkin is full of vitamin A (good for your skin, hair & nails), iron, fiber AND potassium!! So it's a great alternative for all you banana haters out there (... although I'm not quite sure how it's possible to hate bananas).

Here are some recipes that I have concocted today!

This morning I had a ...
Cocoa-pumpkin-espressochino!

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp pumpkin puree
1 tbsp espresso instant coffee
1 packet stevia
1/2 tsp cinnamon (adjust to your liking)
1/4 tsp nutmeg (adjust... again)
1/2 cup almond milk
3 ice cubes

Stick all that into a blender and enjoy some pumpkin with your daily egg-fast!

Tonight I made....
Pumpkin-raisin-almond energy bars!

1 cup GF rolled oats
1/2 cup milled flaxseed
1/2 pumpkin puree
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup almonds (chopped in half)
1/3 cup honey
1 egg white
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Pre-heat over to 400 degrees. Mix it all together in a large bowl, spray an 8x8 brownie pan with cooking spray, cook for 10-15 minutes depending on your oven! Let cool, cut & wrap to keep fresh! I cut mine into 8 bars!

Fresh outta the oven! 

All wrapped up & headed to the freezer :)

SO! Both these recipes used ONLY all natural ingredients & would be considered CLEAN EATING! Hooray! So, test em out, enjoy !

Did I tell you all that I have a new life goal?
I am going to open a completely 100% gluten free cafe when City Year is over... well, maybe a few years after City Year is over!

BUT! Help me reach my goals & give me feedback!
I release my fears & I choose love. The universe will provide the means necessary if I offer my love unto it.

Goodnight beautiful people <3

I Am Willing to Witness My Fear

Happy Sunday beautiful people.

Today, I embark on a 40-day journey! I have been reading everything by Gabrielle Bernstein, but yesterday, my cousin reached out to me and said she was starting the 40-Day challenge which follows along with Gabby's book, "May Cause Miracles." Surprisingly enough, my goal for the day yesterday was to go and find that book, even before my cousin had said anything! The synchronicity of the universe was incredible yesterday...

 Friday night, I couldn't fall asleep until 5 am, slept for about two hours... woke up and realized there are some aspects of my life that need to be altered. I read a chapter from 'Spirit Junkie', did the meditation at the end.... and found myself broken down, sobbing in my room... I asked for the universe to help guide me in the right direction, ready for change and willing to work... next thing you know I am out searching Aventura for this book. Funny to find out; there isn't a single book store in this part of town... I was distressed & to top things off, my car key got stuck in the ignition. I was in a state of panic, hungry & very annoyed. I sought to stress eating, despite my epiphany from the morning... I felt like this was the world's way of telling me, "NO. You aren't allowed to make this change, you can just keep on doing what you're doing." After hitting up multiple drive-thru's & stress eating my way to sickness... I stopped at a car-shop & asked a friendly worker to potentially help me. With a little struggle, the man got my key out... I felt a lot better but my brain was buzzing from the drive-thru binge eating, so I stopped by Goodwill to walk it off & see if I could find any bargains.. To my fortune, I found a pair of beige pumps, exactly what I've been wanting; problem, they were marked for 53 dollars. 53 dollars at Goodwill... what?! So I asked a clerk about them, she said... you know, that's wrong, these are 7, go up to the counter now and I'll make sure you get them for the right price. So, I walked away with a little pep in my step... the day was getting better. Exhaustion finally hit, so I decided to head home & nap.

 Upon waking up, I had a voicemail from my beautiful cousin who said she was starting the 40-Day Challenge the following day, Sunday, and that she would love if I would do it along with her. This was my call back from the universe. I am going to get better & I am going to be happy again. I sprung out of bed, drove 15 miles to the nearest Barnes & Noble, purchased the book (and several others) & knew that my journey to recovery & unlimited happiness would begin in the morning.


If you made it through all of that, some of you are probably thinking... what is this girl even talking about? If you'd like to know more, I can definitely expand upon it... but it's been a long few years that I am looking to find solace for.

Gabby's 'May Cause Miracles' is a day-by-day guidebook that makes subtle changes in your life to open the windows to true happiness, internal happiness & love over fear.

Today, I am willing to witness my fear: my fear that I will be forever alone, my fear of steering away from the calorie counting life I once followed, my fear that my body isn't perfect, or people don't like the way I am. I see what I've been through, and I will not be afraid of what I can become.

Today I begin this journey for me.

Things Have Changed

Well, it is about time I started blogging again... a lot has changed since my last post: the biggest obviously the fact that I moved across the country. Since my last update, I was accepted into City Year Miami, an Americorps program aimed at fighting the drop-out crisis in education. I have been living here for 2 months now, and the work has been perilous, but the small victories rewarding. I have met so many amazing people from all over the country, and some even more incredible students who I look forward to growing stronger bonds with & increasing their chances of succeeding in their educational career. It is insane that so many people have come together to help complete strangers... I'm awed by it everyday... and even though some days I feel like backing out, I know that I am here for a reason, and that reason is to touch the life of someone so that they might do the same in return. The only way to help our world from spiraling down into chaos as we all face struggles and hardships is to help each other & create a cycle of service.

Today we all earned our Red Jackets, which was incredibly real. It was so refreshing after a hard month in the schools to be reminded of why we came, and who helped pave our way to get to where we are now. I dedicated mine to both of my grandma's. My Grandma Burke passed away 3 years ago to bone cancer, my Grandma O'Sullivan is currently fighting a failing liver & resides in hospice. I think of them everyday... I wish I could see both of them. I know they are rooting for me though. A few weeks ago, I was able to facetime with my Grandma O while my parents were visiting her in Massachusetts. It was amazing to hear her tell me that I was pretty & to know that she knew I was ok in Florida. She was amazed at the technology of an iPad... The past few weeks have been stressful in the sense that I know it's only a matter of time before she passes.... but I pray that the universe keeps her strong & sends my positive thoughts to her daily. I'm dedicating my year of service to her & Grandma Burke because I want to channel their strength that they have shown me in the time I was blessed to spend with them.

I know that my blog started as a "food" & "fit" blog... but I am re-routing it to a wellness blog. I really nee a positive outlet right now as the last few weeks have taken a toll on me... I am searching for a balance of wellness. I have begun reverting to my older ways of stress-eating... and it is taking a toll on me... but I won't delve into that.

I will leave this post as is for now... but close with some words from the book I'm currently reading. "Spirit Junkie", by Gabrielle Bernstein. I have found solace in her writing... her words are healing, and as a damaged soul, I have truly been taking it to heart. She reinforces that just because your life may be in a recovery phase, or a slow climb from rock bottom.... there is always a way to turn it around.

"One fearful thought takes over our minds and creates our very own illusions. We were all innocent children who once believed in love. But there comes a point at which we forget love ever existed. We choose fear instead. We fear just about everything. We fear our careers, our family, our friends--we even fear the possibility that love could be real. Most of all we fear our own greatness."

Time to choose love & forgive the past.

All for the night... I can't sleep so I'll be cleaning.

All my love,
Emily