Coconut Oil and Vegan Pumpkin Cookies

If you haven't used coconut oil before...here is your chance to make it a staple in your life.  It is absolutely amazing.  Once you discover it and all of it's benefits, you won't know what you did without it!

Coconut oil is one of those magical products that can be used for anything and pretty much fixes everything.  It is a hidden gem that more people should know about.  Check out this site for 101 uses for coconut oil.  I decided to start my many uses of coconut oil with baking!

Other products I used for the first time in this recipe were coconut flour and coconut palm sugar. 

 Coconut flour states that you can replace up to 20% with the amount of flour called for in a recipe and add an equivalent amount of liquid.

Coconut palm sugar is a 1:1 substitution for brown sugar and I think it tastes great.  

Now, I present to you Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies that will make you coming back for seconds.  I used the recipe from this website, but changed a bunch of the ingredients to make it my own (and a little healthier).

 Here is the full list of ingredients I used:

1/3 cup coconut flour (1/3 of water to balance)

1 1/8 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled

1/4 cup coconut palm sugar

1/2 cup of granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

3/4 cup vegan chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil

In a medium bowl add wheat and coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices.  Whisk together and set aside

Combine coconut oil and sugars together. 

Use an electric mixer to mix these ingredients together.  

Then add vanilla, pumpkin, and the equivalent liquid for the flour.  Mix until combined.  

Slowly add dry ingredients.  Mix until well combined.  (I ended up using a spoon and fork to finish mixing the batter because it was very thick).  Add the chocolate chips.

Drop small tablespoon size rounds of batter onto the baking sheet. 

Bake for 10 minutes.  

Let the cookie cool completely.  I found the cookies tasted best once they were completely cooled and even the next day.  

If you want you can use regular chocolate chips, but I couldn't even taste the difference with the vegan chocolate chips.  Using organic ingredients is even better.  Have fun and experiment with different natural ingredient substitutes. It makes baking interesting when you can substitute healthy alternatives and make a really good product.  

Most importantly, go out and get some coconut oil! It will change your life.  I hope you enjoy this recipe and the many benefit of the coconut.  

Dream, Believe, Inspire

Zoetic Challenge- Jump In the Cold Pool

I apologize for my two week break.  I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving filled with giving (paying it forward), family, lots of food, and lots of joy.  I have been crazy busy finishing up school, getting ready for the holidays, and most of all undergoing a deep cleanse.  Now we have all heard about the "cleansing fad" but mine was more on the medical side unfortunately, but I am going to dedicate a future dedicated to the cleansing world.

Now I am not doing your average "cleanse" to just drop weight or feel energized.  I am cleansing every organ in my body, which is taking intense will power and drive thanks to the Blessed Herb Cleanse.  If you want to learn more about it take a look at their website and feel free to ask my any questions about my experience so far.  After I am done with it I will be sure to share my journey.  It has been interesting to say the least.

For today's post I wanted to give a little Zoetic Challenge.  I have been helping a friend out with refocusing her life.  As I have been helping her take steps int he right direction, it has given me a lot of insight into what makes life genuinely full.

There are many things in life that we say we "want to do" or we know we "should do" but don't have the guts or just put it off until later.  This is one of the things I have been working on with my friend and it always leads me to my pool analogy.  After I explained this analogy with her I said I need to share this on Zoe Lane.

This is my own analogy I have used for years from my years of going to my friend's ice cold cool.  Every weekend I would get ready to go to my family friend's pool that felt like it was always filled with ice (maybe I just remembered it as being cold because I was young, but it was pretty cold), but they were always excited for us to come visit so I wanted to go in (plus once I got in I knew it would feel great since it felt like 100 degrees).  For the first couple of times I would stick my toes in the water and cringe feeling the cold sensation take over my body.  I would turn to my dad and say "this is way too cold, there is no way I am going in."  I would eventually be convinced to swim and I would spend the next 40 minutes creeping into the pool.  It was definitely uncomfortable to get in the pool and it never really felt fully refreshing.  I eventually got in but never got that rewarding feeling of that 100 degree relief.

I decided that this process was not only uncomfortable, but not very rewarding.  I decided the next time I would do this differently.  I walked through the gate, kicked of my flip flops, and without a word, without a touch of the water and without a second thought I ran and jumped in the cold pool.  When I surfaced for air I thought "that feels amazing."  I was in the pool, refreshed and even though there was an initial shock of "cold," it was worth the reward.

For the past couple of years I have explained this analogy to people and when someone is scared to do something they want to do I tell them "just jump in the cold pool."  This idea has gotten me through a lot.  Many things I have second guessed or I have thought about too much, I stop myself and I just do it.  I believe in myself and I know I can accomplish these things I want to do, but sometimes over thinking and planning too much and can lead to distractions.  If you think about it too much you will never jump.  A couple times I have ran towards the edge to jump, thought about it and then backed away.  At that point I was never going to jump because the doubt had already stopped me.  Of course I could take a step back, refocus, and jump, which is exactly what you can do at anytime with a goal, but you must commit to jumping.  

Now apply this to your life.  What do you want to do?  Is there something you have been wanting to do or need to do, but have been putting off or shying away from?  What is stopping you?  Doubt? Fear?  Take that goal and the reasons you know this is the right decision or why you want to do this and just JUMP.  It can be something very simple.

Your Zoetic Challenge this week is to think about something that you need to do.  Is it a talk you need to have with someone?  A call you need to make?  A job you want to apply for?  A class you always wanted to try?  Something you wanted to sign up for?  Or anything you wanted to do but were too nervous or doubted yourself?  Take that goal and write down the steps you need and visualize the reward and how refreshing it will feel (just like the cold water) and JUMP.

A lot of times I get nervous following up after I applied for a job or when I am interested in a job.  It is somewhat like cold calling.  This is a scary thing for a lot of people.  I used to sit there and think about how nervous I was and how much I didn't want to do it, until I implemented my cold pool idea.  From then on I wouldn't even think twice about it.  I knew what I had to do and I would dial and put the phone up to my ear before I could think twice.  I just jumped.  I have used this analogy for a friend who was unhappy in her current job.  She was offered an opportunity to take an awesome new position, but was too nervous to leave the job she had worked hard in and was comfortable with, but she wasn't happy.  I asked her if this new job was something she really wanted.  She told me this is definitely what she wanted, but she still seemed nervous.  Having explained this analogy to her before, I simply said "jump in the cold pool."

Now I know some big life decisions take more than just jumping in the pool, I understand this.  You can't just jump when you are buying a house, or choosing a car, but for some of our daily decisions this idea is a life saver.  I hope it helps you in some of your upcoming decisions and to push you a little towards your goals.  Trust that even though there might be an initial shock, the jump will be more than refreshing and so worth it.  Come on in, the water's great ;)

"Life is all about risks and it requires you to jump.  Don' be a person who has to look back and wonder what they would have or could have had."

Dream, Believe, Inspire

Paying it Forward: Random Acts of Kindness

This is a very special post near and dear to my heart,

"Selflessness is the sincere concern for the well being of others.  It's about love.  It's about compassion.  It's about kindness and faith.  It's about making a difference in the world.  Sure, you are only one, but you are one.  You cannot do everything, but you can do something.  Smile and enjoy the fact that you have the ability to make a difference-one you'll likely remember forever." 
(http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/05/25/60-selfless-ways-to-pay-it-forward/)

It is the best time of the year; for people who really know me they know it is my favorite time of the year.  It is time to be thankful for everything around you, cherish the people in your life, appreciate the little things, and best of all: time to give.  Thanksgiving is on Thursday and Christmas is right around the corner.  What better way to kick of the holidays than to perform some Random Acts of Kindness and brighten someone's day. I wanted to share this to inspire all of you to "pay it forward" or to perform some Random Act of Kindness.  I would love for this post to inspire even just one person to do something that will make someone else's life brighter.  That act could inspire that person to pay it forward and the giving will just become contagious. "Even the smallest act of caring for another person is like a drop of water- it will make ripples throughout the entire pond." - Jessy and Bryan Matteo. 

 One of my favorite quotes is from the genius Albert Einstein and I don't know about you, but I believe everything he says

So I decided to "pay it forward" while I had a little bit of free time today.

I left a dollar in the toys at the dollar store and wrote a note on the back of the card so a child can enjoy a new toy.

I went to Walmart and purchased a gift card to leave near food items people might purchase for Thanksgiving.

 I love scratch cards, so I attached two scratch cards to a gas pump and wished them luck!

As I was driving out of the parking lot I noticed a cart at the very end of the lot.  I ran it back and organized the carts.  

There are so many ways to Pay It Forward and these are just a few things that I did.

Here are some other ideas :)

• Volunteer for local charities
• Shovel someone's driveway or sidewalk for them after a snowstorm
• Donate books or clothes 
• Write an awesome review for a small restaurant or independent business.  It will really make someones day who has worked hard and believes in their business.  If you believe in it too, express it.  It will make them feel great.  
• Smile or give someone a compliment.
• Tell a friend how much they mean to you. Write them a letter.  People do not express enough how much others mean to them.  It will mean more than you could imagine.  
• Be a friend who listens..and I mean really listens.  Sometimes thats all someone needs.
• Leave some money on a vending machine for the next person to use.  
• Write a nice note to a stranger in a popular book in the library when you return it.  
• Pay for the person's coffee behind you in line.
• Fill an expired parking meter.
• Buy a friend their favorite candy and give it to them 'just because.'
• Share your umbrella on a rainy day.  
• Brush off someone's car when it snows.
• Spend some time on Free Rice.  

There is no better feeling in the world than to make someone smile or to make someone feel special.  In college, I was part of a group called LIGHThouse Leadership society.    I was lucky to be a part of the first ever retreat and then chosen to be the first group of facilitators to plan the retreat for a new group of students.  These retreats took 20 strangers on a weekend that would change their lives.  This group of college students would leave campus strangers and return family. It was our passion to make people smile, to be that ear to listen, that shoulder to lean on, to give back, and to make anyone's day a little brighter. This group organized an annual "24 hours of light" event for our school that was dedicated to 'paying it forward.'  Being part of the first ever group of LIGHThouse facilitators has ingrained into my life the importance of making others feel special and loved and I know my fellow facilitators would agree with me.

I always say the people in our lives are the most important thing and if we can make others feel special, even strangers, then maybe we can all appreciate each other and how lucky we truly are.  Remind people that there is kindness in the world and as we say here on Zoe Lane, we can strive for absolute fullness of life for everyone.

"Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, "You owe me!"  Look what happens with a love like that, it lights up the whole sky."  -Hafez

So make it part of your daily routine to make someone smile even with the simplest of gestures. Cherish that fact that you have the power to impact someone's life in such a positive way.  I hope this post inspires and ignites a light inside of you to pay it forward and perform some random acts of kindness.  So get out there and give; take this Zoetic Challenge and the next time someone wants to repay you for something, ask them to pay it forward. 

Let me know some of the ways you pay it forward :) 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Dream, Believe, Inspire

Carrot and Ginger Soup

Happy Monday!

So some of you might know I have been struggling with GI issues for over a year now.  I have had every test you can think of done and it is still some mystery as to what is wrong with me.  Long story short I have been changing my diet many different ways to see what foods triggers my symptoms.  I met this nutritionist in NYC, when I lived there, who actually helped me feel a little better.  After I moved home I reconnected with her in September.  She is part of this company called "The Plan"  (click to visit the official website).  I decided to try the program for the 20 days.  I learned a lot about my reactive foods, but I also learned really great recipes.  This is one of the recipes that I still make on a weekly basis.  I eat this soup for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner depending on what I am in the mood for.  Here are the step by step instructions on how to make Carrot and Ginger soup. (This recipe is from the book "The Plan" by Lyn-Genet Recita)

Here are the ingredients:
8 carrots
1 large zucchini (or 2 small)
1 large onion
5 cloves of garlic
1 inch of ginger
1 liter of water
1tsp of cinnamon (more to taste)
fresh ground black pepper (optional)


You will also need
a pot
cutting board
blender
peeler
knife

Fill the pot with 1 liter of water and bring to a high simmer

Then peel and roughly cut the carrots because these vegetables will be placed in a blender at the end, but make them small enough so the carrots will become soft when simmered.  Place the diced carrots into the pot.

Cut the zucchini, the large onion, five gloves of garlic, and the one inch of ginger roughly and place into pot.

Let all the ingredients simmer until soft (usually takes about 20 minutes).  I usually stick a knife or fork into the carrots to test it; you want the carrots to be soft so they will blend into a creamy texture.

Pour the entire pot of vegetables, including the water, into the blender.

Add cinnamon to the blender and blend until creamy.

And just like that, you have your soup!

It is also suggested to add chia seeds, sunflower seeds, or even pepitas (pumpkin seeds) to the soup for added fiber and protein. Make sure the seeds are raw and unsalted.

I sometimes add cinnamon to the finished soup instead of during the blend.  Either one works.  Enjoy this super simple soup recipe.  It is digestion friendly and tastes really good!

Let me know what you think of it!

Dream, Believe, Inspire,

21 drops Live on Zoe Lane

I am so excited to share one of my favorite products with you today! I have collected these for about four years now and they travel with my wherever I go.  They are my essential oil blends by 21 drops. The website states:

"Each of our Essential Oil blends is tried, tested and incredibly effective. Select essential oils are carefully infused to create a targeted and customized solution…from Headache to Heartache.

All of our Essential Oil Therapy blends are 100% natural. We source each essential oil from either wild-crafted or organically grown herbs or plants, collected – sustainably – from all over the globe. These therapeutic oils use an organic Jojoba carrier oil as their base." - 21drops.com

These blends come in 21 different scents all pertaining to a certain state of being and have different scents for you to feel the benefits through aromatherapy.  They are the perfect size to carry around and use throughout the day.  Some of my favorites are de-stress, inspire (of course) and equalize.

I apply these scents to my wrists, slightly behind my ears, down my neck, and on the sides of my temples.  I also breathe in the scent for a little bit to get the full aroma.  Equalize is one of the best smelling scents made with sandalwood wood oil, palmarosa grass oil, rose flower oil, and frankincense resin oil.  

 

I thought the combination of headache, pain relief, and hangover would be great after a long week of being active, being at the office and then an eventful weekend. Yes, they even have one for a hangover.  21 drops actually makes combination packages such as The Weekender with passion, sleep, and hangover.  I think this is an awesome idea. Check out the website for other combination packages.       

I have quite the collection that I use quite often, my main focus right now is on digestion (17), which is my newest sent for my crazy ongoing mystery GI issues.  They really do work!  I share my digestion scent with my friend at school who shares similar GI issues and she says she instantly feels better.  She said to me today, "I love you for this, my stomach calmed instantly." They even come in a cute little box that I just want to keep and display all over my room.  It's no surprise that their packaging was  nominated for Best Packaging Personal Care Prestige in this year's HBA's International Package Design Awards.  I think it's well deserved!  

These blends are $29 each, but I really enjoy them.  I asked the founder Cary Caster, who is a Clinical Aromatherapist, about upcoming promotions and she said they are working on them now.  I will be sure to post any promotions they have for the holidays when she lets me know. These would make a really nice gift for the upcoming holidays.  BeautySage is a huge fan of 21drops and distributes the scents AND TODAY ONLY you can use the code BDT (on the entire site) for 20% off and they have free shipping!

After yesterday's Zoetic Challenge (if you didn't get a chance to read it click here) I think inspire would be a great investment to inspire you to work towards your goals and break out of your comfort zone!

 Visit 21 drops official website here!  You can read all about their mission and even follow Cary Caster's blog.  This product is really quite amazing and inspiring in itself. She is brilliant!

Dream, Believe, Inspire