My son, who is three, it completely turned off by the color. He takes one look and scrunches up his nose and narrows his eyes in. “No Mama.” Not one touch, not one lick. It saddens me. If only he knew how delicious avocados are. Not to mention, completely healthy.

I’ve been in search for more avocado recipes when I came across a whole slew of avocado puddings on pinterest. Some with milk, some with just honey and cocoa, some with sweetners etc. There are lots that can be to form your own pudding. So I wanted to add it to list of things to do. I’ve pushed this recipe off for months and I have no idea why. It’s texture is creamy just like a pudding and the chocolate it rich and delicious. My warning is that it doesn’t taste exactly like chocolate pudding, however; my whole family enjoyed it. I made a big batch but of course you can always half the size. This served four comfortably.

Ingredients:

• 2 avocados (Haas is the best!)
• 1/2 cup vanilla almond milk (I’m sure you can substitute any milk)
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup agave or any sweetener
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Recipe:

Step 1: Place all ingredients in a blender and mix

Step 2: Scoop and serve or refrigerate. I would use it later that day…

It still has that “nutty” flavor that avocados have. You won’t be entirely fooled however it is still quite delicious. My son asked for dessert the second night too. I used it as a my “bait.” I told him, “You eat all your dinner and I’ll give you chocolate pudding.” It was a win-win situation to say the least. He ate every last drop. After he licked the bowl and spoon, he asked for more.

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I’m particularly fond of this month because…it’s my birthday month (Yippee!) and we all love our birthdays right?

I already bought myself a present. Say hello to Selene, which is selenite. She’s a beauty right?

(More to come with Selene, she’s been influential in a lot of ways.)

But as I looked around my house, I noticed a theme…

I have mini Selene’s everywhere. I mean, on almost every windowsill (as a protective grid. If you want to know more about grids, take the Gemstones in your home online class) and in the kids bedrooms.

What is my attachment to selenite? I must need it right? We are most drawn to the stones we need so maybe I do. You see, it’s one of July’s zodiac stones. Now I understand why I have been so drawn to it.

You may have heard that each month has a gemstone associated it but there are also zodiac modern gemstones which benefit each sign.

Here are some suggestions from the book “A little bit of Crystals” by Cassandra Eason:

Aries (March 21-20)

Gems and crystals: blood agate, orange carnelian, diamond, silver iron pyrites, red jasper, rainbow, pink rhodonite, red tiger’s eye

Taurus (April 21-May 21)

Gems and crystals: Opal, emerald, jade, rainbow moonstone, rose quartz, pink tourmaline

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

Gems and crystals: agate, yellow calcite,citrine, yellow jasper, labradorite, opal

Cancer (June 22 – July 22)

Gems and crystals: Moonstone, pearl, selenite, cloudy or milky white quartz, clear topaz

Leo (July 23 – August 23)

Gems and Crystals: Amber, fire opal, rainbow quartz, ruby, white sapphire, sunstone

Virgo (August 24 – September 22)

Gems and crystals: Amazonite, jade, white howlite, moss, peridot, snow quartz

Libra (September 23 – October 23)

Gems and crystals: Blue lace agate, chrysocolla, lapid lazuli, blue saphhire

Scorpio (October 24 – November 24)

Gems and crystals: Black and red coral, hematite, malachite, black obsidian, unakite

Sagittarius (November 23 – December 21)

Gems and crystals: Aqua aqua, chrysocolla, goldstone, blue howlite, clear quartz, turquoise

Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)

Gems and crystals: Green aventurine, red garnet, onyx, smoky quartz, tiger’s eye, black tourmaline

Aquarius (January 21 – February 18)

Gems and Crystals: Amethyst, angelite, blue quartz, sodalite, sugilite

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Gems and Crystals: Bloodstone, mother of pearl, ocean jasper, watermelon tourmaline

Need some ideas how to use your birthday stones?

• Give as a gift set for birthday or a new baby
• Put together yours and your partners in a bag as you combine your love for one another
• Do you know someone who needs healing? Put together their birthstone bag and send healing to them
• Carry with you all year around

If a stone doesn’t feel “right” feel free to change it out for another one!

Love + Light,

Amber

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I have been so busy (and crazy in love) with balancing chakras and crystals! Did I mention that’s my job? I realize that I hvaen’t been posting about the food industry lately and posted here and there about crystals and may have not clearly stated why….

I’ve opened at Reiki/Chakra balancing business in my hometown. This means, you can book appointments with me for a private session or come for a workshop!

Wait…

Did I jump the gun with my excitement?

What?

You’re not local.

No worries!

Join me, July 11th at 7:00 pm for an online course all about Understanding the Chakras!

In this course, you will:

• Understand each of the major chakras
• How they impact your life
• How to tell if your chakra is deficient or excessive
• Learn what crystals correspond with each chakra
• Learn a crystal healing layout technique to balance your chakras

I want everyone to learn about their chakras to discover what self-healing techniques they can be empowered with!

Won’t you join me?

Mark the calendar: JULY 11th, 7pm eastern time

It’s simple, click on the link below to reserve your spot and send me your email address at (thechakradiva@gmail.com). I will then forward you the login information. No refunds.

Recipe:

• 3 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup cashews: chopped to bite size
• 2 tbs flax seeds
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1  1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon all spice
• 6 tbs unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Recipe:

Step 1: Line parchment paper on a 11×17 baking sheet. (I used stoneware). Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Step 2: In a bowl, mix oats, cherries, almonds, cashews, flax seed, cinnamon, ginger and allspice. Stir to combine

Step 3: In a small sauce pan, combine butter and honey over low. When the butter is melted, take off heat and stir in vanilla.

Step 4: Add butter mixture to oat mixture and stir to combine.

Step : Pour on baking sheet and pat down to evenly distribute.

Step : Bake for 75-80 minutes until a little crisp. (You may need less time 60-70 minutes if using a metal baking sheet)

Step 7: Wait for it to cool down (if you can resist) and place cereal in an air-tight container. The cereal should come off in little pieces and not big chunks.

I made this yesterday and sadly our container is gone! It has been requested to make cereal once a week and believe me, I don’t mind doing so since I know what’s in it! You can also add in raisins in replace of dried cherries, coconut, different seeds, different nuts. The possibilities are endless. Once you have homemade cereal, I bet you won’t be going back

So please know, you have been fully warned. It is addicting. We opened up the container and snacked on it without any almond milk! I felt good about this, knowing my kids were eating healthy. It’s filled with lots of nutritional value and it tastes oh so yummy. Good bye boxed cereals!

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Ingredients:

• Two portobello mushrooms, gills removed
• 1 clove of garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp. fresh rosemary
• olive oil
• blue cheese (as much or as little as you like)
• 1 Roma tomato
• handful of arugula
• 1 Tbs. chopped walnuts (optional)
• Fresh Parmesan Cheese

Recipe as follows:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Prepare a baking pan with aluminium foil or use stoneware (I always love using stoneware!)

3. Clean out those beautiful portobello mushrooms by removing the gills with a spoon. It may look nasty, but somebody’s gotta do it!

Easy and painless!

4. Place these beautiful, meaty mushrooms on a baking pan

5. Make the oil mix! Mix rosemary, garlic and oil into a bowl.

6.  Liberally, spread the oil mix all in and around the portobello mushrooms! YUMSSSSSSSSSSSS!

(Those babies should look something lika this when covered)

7. Bake for 15 minutes.

8. Ding! Pull out of oven and stuff them! They are begging to be stuffed! Fill them with blue cheese (as much as you want), then add a slice of tomato on top!

9. Bake in the oven for five more minutes – yup, the waiting game is on….

10. Meanwhile, as you’re sniffing the melted cheese (ahhh!!!!) toast walnuts over medium heat until fragrant.

*Stir frequently, making sure not to burn them!*

Really? Is it here? Is the wait FINALLY over? YESSSSSS!!!!

11. Place some arugula on a plate and top with portobello mushroom followed by walnuts and freshly grated Parmesan cheese! Wowza!

THE BEST PART IS YET TO COME! When you cut into this delicious site, all the cheese comes pouring, melting all over your salad! No dressing. Just the love of cheese!

Now, I can finally relax. Shew. Twenty minutes was a long wait…..

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One of my biggest life cheerleaders is my BFF, Stefanie, who  has been my BFF since I was in fourth grade. When you have a great friend like that for so long – you kind of share everything such as secrets, thoughts, laughs, ideas, and even recipes! She has tried all my recipes that I have posted and I am forever in debt to our friendship for the kindness she has always given me throughout the years.

I can recall, that at the end of each day in middle school, we used to walk FAR to Taco Bell and order the same thing, a double-decker taco and a soda. Sometimes we used to sit and talk over a bowl of ice cream or watch TV to chips and cheese whiz, (may I add, we used to squirt the whole can of cheese whiz in our mouths until it was gone!) We used to talk endlessly about nothing (or should I say a long list of boys, haha) while lying on her bed and munching on a can of Pringles, and we would walk to “Triangles,” a local neighborhood store, to purchase a milky way bar, Mountain Dew and some candy smokes all while enjoying each others companionship. We even snuck in a few swigs of Triple Sec from her parent’s basement a few times… Yes, food and our friendship (including drinking!) have always went well together!

But at last, and most unfortunately, my metabolism doesn’t like me as much as it used to and instead we now swap recipes – healthier recipes! She made a great granola bar recipe that I recreated and fell in love with. To make a healthier version, add pumpkin seeds, walnuts, any kind of nuts, applesauce or even dried fruit! Here’s from my best friend to you, my new friend. May our bellys be full and our friendships grow deep!

Stef’s Recips:

INGREDIENTS
· 4 1/2 cups rolled oats
· 1 cup all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon baking soda
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 2/3 cup butter, softened OR APPLESAUCE **note when subbing applesauce also add ½ tsp salt**
· 1/2 cup honey
· 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
· 2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9×13 inch pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter or margarine, honey and brown sugar. Stir in the 2 cups assorted chocolate chips, raisins, nuts etc.
3. Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

Very slight changes in mine:

INGREDIENTS

• 4 1/2 cups Old Fashion Style Oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• · 1 teaspoon baking soda
• · 1 teaspoon almond extract
• · 2/3 cup butter, softened
• · 1/2 cup honey
• · 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• · 1 cup Peanut butter and milk chocolate morsels
• 1/2 cup vanilla granola
• 1/2 cup almonds

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees

2. I very lightly greased my stoneware – seriously I’m so funny about things sticking! If I take all this time to make something, I don’t want it to stick! Okay, or you can grease a 9×13 pan.

3. In an electric mixer, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, almond,  honey and brown sugar. Stir in remaining ingredients.

4. Place mixture into prepared pan. If your pan is long and skinny, you will have smaller uniformed granola bars. I used my stoneware so it was thick and chewy.

5. Place in oven for 23-25 minutes (stoneware longer by 2-3 minutes, keep checking for the top to be firm). Pull out and WAIT until it cools. I waited 15 minutes and flipped, well, it all fell apart. I have to admit, I didn’t mind, it was great in all different pieces on its own.

6. When cooled, serve and enjoy

NOTE: Next time, I’m going to melt some chocolate and pour it on top!

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Ingredients:

1 pound shrimp: peeled, deveined, tails on for presentation if you like

2 tbs. butter

2 tbs. olive oil

3 cloves garlic

2 cans of Newman’s Own Peach Chunky Salsa (go to their website and locate a store, but I found it at the local Giant in the salsa section)

15 oz can of black beans: drained and rinsed

1 cup minute rice

Recipe:

1. Prepare the shrimp(ers). Place them in a collander and rinse with cold water. (Do not use warm/hot, it will start the cooking process).

2. Peel and devein shrimp leaving tails on.

3. Rinse shrimp again in cold water again to make sure nothing is left behind.

5. Pat shimp dry with a paper towel and set aside.

6. Make minute rice according to directions. (However servings you may need. A good rule of thumb, 1 cup per person.) Keep rice aside in pot with lid on.

7. In a saute pan, place 2 tbs. of butter and 2 tbs. of olive oil. Heat butter and olive oil over medium heat.

8. Place three fresh garlic cloves into the saute pan with the olive oil and butter. Cook for two minutes stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.

9. Add shrimp to the garlic together for 5-6 minutes, turning the shrimp a few times.

Note: The shrimp will be nice and pink in color when finished.

10.  Drain shrimp and remove garlic.

11. Put shrimp on a plate and set aside.

12. In another large saute pan over medium heat, add peach salsa and beans. Cook a few minutes until salsa is nice and heated through.

13. Add shrimp to pan and cook for just a few minutes until everything is heated through together.

14. Serve over rice.

It is wonderful. All the flavors together are scrumptious. If you are looking for a sweet shrimp that will give your mouth a kick at the end, this is it!

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Before I changed my ways, I would say, “Sit down. Don’t run! Find something to do! Calliou is on!” I would say anything to try to keep them occupied. One day, my husband was home while I was preparing the meal and it sounded like someone put him on repeat, “Go play! Go find a puzzle! Go read a book!” Over and over words were being said and said and said but with very little outcome. The witching hour still haunted us until, I changed my tactics.

I’ve had emails and comments left on my Facebook page, “How do you cook with two little kids? How does it get done?” Here are some answers:

1. I try to get them involved in making food. I judge how they are behaving if they are in that fun, helping mood…if not, I move onto…
2. Give them something fun to do!

It’s SO much easier Mom’s, to give them something fun and keep them busy then using your voice! WOW! This is when I bring out this super easy Salt Dough. I can get an hour in easily if I needed to! I consider what my kids interests are and let it flow with them. My son is into dump trucks and cars, so he is happy making dirt piles and his new thing, townhouses. (“They connect mom, look!”) My daughter loves to play chef, so she gets rolling pins and cookie cutters for her dough. The key is not to bring it out too often or they start to lose interest. Once maybe twice a week, I give this to them, MAX. I want it to be effective! This is also what I call a bonus activity because the full project is done in two parts.

Dough Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour (I use all-purpose flour)
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup water

Stir to combine.

If it’s too dry, add more water. I like the texture like this because it crumbles easily into “dirt” piles and if you fold it in your hands it stays together for rolling out dough as well!

Let them use their imagination! Whatever works for them. As I mentioned, my son builds townhouses and single-family houses as well. (We are learning about communities)

You can also cut out shapes using cookies cutters or sand box shapes too. Keep these on the side…..

When you finish cutting out shapes then…

Step 1. Place them on a prepared cookie sheet with parchment paper

Step 2: Preheat the oven to 225 degrees and bake for 2-3 hours until completely dried out

The next morning, we paint them!

Let them dry and you have beautiful artwork!

Sometimes, we don’t bake, we just play in the dough. When you’re finished making the dough, you can always wrap it up in saran wrap and save it for another day. It holds moisture well and doesn’t dry out.

Mommy made some sand crabs – wishful thinking for summer!

This piece is now on our bathroom floor as a decoration! I love homemade things! It didn’t go to waste. Do you have the “witching hour?” If so, I want to know about it!

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While I was coaching a hard-working older couple at the grocery store, she mentioned to me that she simply does not have the time to eat whole foods. I absolutely understand this. In this day and age, everyone is working and working hard. Sometimes endless hours. She viewed her life as only having time to work and nothing else. There is no time for exercise and definitely no time to eat healthier. Even though many studies have provided the information that diseases are connected to our packaged foods with additives and chemicals, even though many studies have concluded that a healthy diet is key to a healthy lifestyle, even though studies have shown that exercising (even for 15-25 minutes) daily has shown to help lower the chance for disease, she didn’t have time. What I heard is that she really doesn’t have time for herself. It is up to each one of us to decide what is important for us in our lives. Evaluating and examining our choices are a really good way to start the process.

I prep my snacks to make sure I am giving myself a great start to a healthy week. My snacks are ready just as the boxes are ready sitting on the shelves. I put on one of my favorite cd’s and prep! Of course finding the time for me can be a challenge as well. I have two kids, ages 4 and 2 who I am caring for plus everyday odds and ends BUT I make it happen. Sometimes, I do it 10pm at night. This may not be ideal for you however the quiet time works well for me.

Here is what I prep for the week:

The traditional carrots and celery sticks. WHY? Because they are GREAT for the body! I cut them into match size sticks for easy nibbling. During our 10:30 am snack time, I serve them to the kids. I also package some for my husband, who works in a van, and he places them in his cooler. Sometimes we eat them plain and sometimes we add peanut butter.

Next on the prep list are peppers! I love peppers. I also make or purchase a package of hummus. We love making hummus at our home and we make lots of different varieties!

For lunches, I take a wrap and place the hummus on it with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Or we dip our carrots, celery and peppers in it for snack.

I also make a weekly stir fry which includes carrots and peppers. Since the vegetables are already prepped, it’s easy to throw in for an even quicker side dish or dinner!

Lastly, I make hard boiled eggs and make homemade granola.

I love hard boiled eggs in salads or as a quick snack so we always have them on hand.

Granola is my favorite breakfast choice. Served with almond milk, it turns into a cereal. Around 3pm, our snack time, I give the kids some in a snack bowl.  Sometimes I make bars instead of granola, it depends on my mood.

Other snacks that we eat that does not require prepping are:

• avocados
• bananas
• apples
• peaches

I do change my snack food prep weekly to give us varieties. If you like this post and want more ideas, just let me know! It is worth finding the time to set yourself up for healthy food choices. Give yourself the self love you deserve! Eat healthy. Eat delicious!

Disclosure:

This post was sponsored by Tyler Automotive.

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I have always been intrigued with the healing abilities of crystals – how about you? I’ve had and used them for years!  They make fabulous gifts for children but have you ever wondered…if they were safe? Do they really work?

Yes. Both children and adults can benefit greatly from the use of gemstones and since gemstones don’t know the age of the person they are working with – they only know how to heal through the high vibrational energy they give out. Regardless if it is a child or an adult, they will give out their beautiful healing powers equally.

But, with every rule, there’s always an exception, am I right?

Right.

There are some TOXIC gemstones out there folks! Gemstones that after you touch, you will want to wash your hands. Gemstones that should NEVER be used for gem elixirs. Toxic. Toxic. Toxic. Be cautious of this and what stone you are giving your child.

Then why should children use gemstones?

Because they can help children just like they help adults. When combining the power of intention and crystals, amazing things can and will happen. Children can work with gemstones to help assist them with physical, emotional, mental and spiritual situations just like adults do. Again, age does not matter.

Children are very open to the world without judgements and criticism which helps connect them to the stones quickly. They don’t have the baggage that adults may carry. They don’t have the “rules” and beliefs that are consistently engrained in their heads. Children are beautiful and innocent which gives them the openness and willingness to learn from the stones easier.

Some of my favorite healing stones for children are:

Amethyst: Many children are drawn to amethyst stones because of their beautiful purple color. They may not know or even care that it is known as The Master Healing Crystal. It’s energy is peaceful and gentle yet so powerful it can eliminate negative energies and assist with nightmares along with physical and emotional pain.

Blue Lace Agate: Not only does this stones help with peaceful communication and self-expression, it also helps connect with the angels.

Rose Quartz: This  fantastic stone known as The Love Stone. This stone teaches us to give and receive love from others and ourselves. It teaches children how to have a gentle and kind heart.

Clear Quartz: This stone is powerful  and can be programmed to any intention. For children, it can be used for clarity, clear thinking and protection.

Tiger’s Eye: This stone is great for children with wild imaginations that need help coming back to reality. Its an amazing stone used for grounding purposes. It teaches children how to boost their self-esteem and give them courage to make good choices.

Now, you may be wondering how to use these fantastic stones. Shewie. Glad you asked!

You can use gemstones in many ways but here are a few of my favorites…

Amethyst: Used under a childs’ pillow. If using a cluster, place it on a nightstand. It gives off beautiful gentle energy and can even be used to clear jewelry.

Blue Lace Agate: Place under pillow. Great for dreams and communication with the angels.

Rose Quartz: Placed in a bath or in a pouch or pendant fora necklace.

Clear Quartz: Placed at corner of doors or windows for protection or if its a cluster, on a nightstand. If using for clarity, it can be held within their hands as they sit quietly, it will clear out thoughts.

Tigers Eye: Carry in a pouch or near the physical body. It’s also great as a protection stone and used for travel.

Remember, that gemstones need to be cleansed occasionally. One of my favorite ways to cleanse and charge crystals is in a bowl of rice. Just make sure it’s deep enough to bury the crystal down in. Keep it over night or for a few hours before pulling it out.

Want to know more? Check out my new blog at Thechakradiva.com

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Zeigler and Fiat of Grandville.

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