Welcome

Welcome to Self Soul Space! This blog is designed to bring you healthy lifestyle tips. A true healthy lifestyle, embodies a healthy mind, body, spirit, and environment. Thanks for stopping by to check out my way of living.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Pumpkin Banana Bread

Happy Fall... the season of all things pumpkin!  In honor of the crisp air and the leaves falling, I brewed myself a cup of pumpkin spice coffee and started baking Pumpkin Banana Bread.  Mmmm, my house smelled wonderful and this bread tastes amazing (and it's healthy)!   No eggs, fruit and vegetables, and minimal fat!  Here's my recipe for Pumpkin Banana Bread, so you can start the season off right!

Pumpkin Banana Bread
yields 2 loaves

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil (or melted butter)
4 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
1 15oz can Pumpkin puree, unsweetened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
3 1/2 cup self-rising flour
2/3 cup water

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour 2 9x5 loaf pans.

In a large bowl, mix sugar and oil. Then mix in bananas, pumpkin, and vanilla.

In a medium bowl, mix together dry ingredients.

Alternating dry mixture and water, add it to the wet ingredients in small batches.  Divide batter between two loaf pans, bake for 40-45 min, or until toothpick comes out clean.  Let stand 10 min, then remove from pans and cool completely.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Date Night & Health... Can they go together?

It seems like whenever I have a date night with my husband, or a girls night out my healthy living habits start to go out the window.  Next thing you know, I'm ordering dessert after a few too many food or beverage indulgences.  Then I wondered why do all my "date nights" correspond around food?  So I decided to set my sights on healthier options for my date nights.

First things first, Date night by my definition can be anytime of day, with anyone you enjoy hanging out with; spouse/partner, friends, kids, loved ones, even yourself.  That being said here are some ideas...

Healthy Date Night Ideas:
  • Picnic, find a pretty park or garden, pack a meal and enjoy
  • Bowling, skip the pitchers of beer though
  • Dancing, burns calories and is fun 
  • Go for a walk, enjoy the city or area you are in (beaches can be super romantic)
  • Group Sports, Beach volleyball is a favorite of some of my friends
  • Run/Walk in a charity race together
  • Shopping, my husband and I always make Christmas shopping a date night (walking & weight lifting!)
  • Home improvement projects
  • Take a Class; pottery, cooking, dance, etc...
  • Try New Local Healthy Restaurant 
  • Board Game Night (cards or active video games- i.e. Just Dance)
  • Take in a new exhibit at a museum, doesn't have to be just art, try something different science, car, history, or sports museum
  • Yoga, anyone?
  • Visit a botanical garden
  • Golf, mini or real game can be fun & intimate
  • Spa treatments, good for the body & soul

I know, it's something about food that makes us more comfortable, it let's our guard down.  But you can enjoy the fun of Dates without food (or alcohol) being the main event.  Get your body moving, make the attraction/location the main event and food the after thought.  If you have fun, healthy date night ideas, please share!  Have Fun!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Smoothie Recipe: Mean Green

I have a large group of friends doing a green smoothie challenge... So, I made this smoothie recipe with them in mind.  It's another one that pushes the spinach taste limit.  This has become a favorite!!

Mean Green
Serves 1

10 blueberries
5 whole strawberries
4 pineapple chunks
1/2 c coconut water
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
2+ handfuls spinach

Blend and enjoy!