Nourish Nature: December 2014

12/30/2014

Bikini Body Guide with Kayla Itsines

I am starting the Bikini Body Guide by Kayla Itsines, an Australian personal trainer who specializes in helping women achieved a slim, muscular build without bulking. My workout routine has been off lately (or non-existent), so I am officially challenging myself to stick with the 12 week workout plan to get my body back on track.

This is something that I have been wanting to do for a while but have made excuses not to. Her workouts are definitely not easy but they are reasonable for time and space (if I cannot make it to the gym-cause, hey, I live in Canada and there are snow storms-I can do them just as easy at home).

I will be keep track on my progress on Instagram which will include progress pictures, workout videos, food pictures, and other things that make me happy through this journey! I am starting week 2 this week and am very excited to start feeling better (Christmas vacay DESTROYED me!)

GOALS FOR MARCH 2015

Do burpees WITHOUT dying

Do a full set of push-ups (NOT 'girl' push-ups)

Have a Kayla-toned stomach

Feel comfortable in a crop-top

Reward self with THIS bikini for my new bikini body!

♥

Kayla - Picture from Kayla Itsines Instagram

12/21/2014

Holiday Drinking | Nourish Nature

Christmas and New Years are the two holidays where people tend to over indulge in alcoholic drinks, I know that I am a fan of having a few drinks over the holidays (Christmas day usually starts with mimosas and ends with wine) So here are a few drinks that I came up with to avoid brutal hangovers from sugary drinks and bloated bellies from carbonates beers!

Kosmo Cranbucha - amazeballs!!

Kosmo Cranbucha

2 oz. vodka
1 oz. sparkling water
2 oz. cosmic cranberry kombucha
1/2 freshly squeezed lime juice
1-2 inch orange peel
Ice as desired

Ging-Mint-bucha

2 oz. Gin
4 oz. gingerade kombucha
4 sprigs mint, roughly broken apart
1/2 freshly squeezed lime juice
Ice as desired

The Grape Gin-bucha

2 oz. gin
4 Fresh rosemary sprigs
2 oz. divine grape kombucha
1 oz. sparkly water
Ice as desired

Pombucha

2 oz. Vodka
2 oz. gingerberry kombucha
1 oz. POM pomegranate juice
2 slices of gala apple
Ice as desired

♥

These are all made with GT's Kombucha! Vegan, gluten free, and GMO free! http://www.synergydrinks.com/

12/16/2014

Vegan Cheesecake | Nourish Nature

I made these little treats over the weekend for a family Christmas party, they were absolutely amazing! (not to brag or anything) These babies are not only free from animal cruelty but also from gluten, peanuts, soy, and other allergens one might find in your average cheesecake.

7 Ingredient Vegan Cheesecake

Ingredients

Crust:
1 cup pitted dates (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes then drained)
1 cup raw almonds
Filling:
1.5 cups raw cashews, soaked in water 4-6 hours or overnight
1 large lemon, juiced
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp full fat coconut milk
1/2 cup agave nectar
Optional Flavor Add-Ins:
2 Tbsp natural almond butter
1/4 cup wild blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Instructions

Add almonds and process into a meal.
Add dates to food processor with almond meal and blend until mixed. Move into a separate bowl and set aside.
Lightly grease a standard, 12 slot muffin tin (or add muffin paper to prevent sticking)
Next, put the nut and date dough into the bottoms of the muffin tray to form the crust. Put as much as desired (about 1 Tbsp works well).
Add all filling ingredients to the food processor and mix until very smooth.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If adding peanut butter or berries, add to the blender and mix until thoroughly combined.
Divide filling evenly among the muffin tins. Add berries for garnish or swirl in almond butter on the top. Then cover with plastic wrap and freeze until hard (4 hours or overnight)
Once set, remove from freezer and serve frozen or wait about 10 minutes for them to thaw out a little.