The Superfood you should be adding to your Coffee by Tero Isokauppila

Mushrooms might not be the first things that come to mind when you picture your morning coffee, but hear me out. Though they may not be as "sexy" as other superfoods on the market today, medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, and Lion’s Mane come packed with some hefty nutritional benefits. At the beginning of the 21st century, fungi were used in more than 10 of the 20 most profitable products used in human medicine—including penicillin. Today, thousands of studies have been conducted on their healing properties.

Researchers have compiled promising evidence that antioxidants in Chaga mushrooms can help lower inflammation in the body; while Reishi mushrooms might improve heart health by lowering LDL cholesterol levels, Cordyceps can boost natural energy levels and oxygen intake by up to 15 percent, and Lion's Mane might influence brain health by stimulating the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production in the body. Incorporating even small amounts of nutrient-rich mushrooms into your daily routine can help you tap into these significant health benefits. Not to mention they can be added to almost any diet—no matter if you're Paleo or vegan. The only downside is that these healthier mushroom often have a bitter taste.

That's where mushroom coffee comes into play. Coffee comes with health benefits of its own, and it's one of the few bitter foods that people consume regularly. However, drinking coffee can be very taxing on our adrenals and tough on our stomachs due to its acidity. But combining coffee with mushrooms may help alleviate these issues. This superfood combo of mushrooms and coffee might sound outrageous, but it tastes much better than you'd imagine. Here are two of my favorite morning coffee recipes. Not only will they help you wake up; they'll improve mental focus, boost brain health, and support overall immunity.

Quick & Easy Mushroom Latte One packet Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane (which comes in a powder form similar to other instant coffees) 1 cup hot water A splash almond milk A tiny bit of vanilla-flavored liquid stevia Mix everything together with a spoon or milk frother.

Hard-Core Mushroom Coffee 16 grams high-quality coffee beans of your choice 1 cup hot water One packet Four Sigmatic Chaga Elixir 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 teaspoon ghee 1 teaspoon maca and/or mucuna extract Grind the coffee beans and throw them into an AeroPress or a French Press. Extract them with hot water for 60 to 90 seconds, depending on the size of your grind. Mix the fresh-brewed coffee and all other ingredients in a blender for a few seconds, and you’re done. Just remember to open the blender lid carefully after mixing a warm drink. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-24153/the-superfood-you-should-be-adding-to-your-coffee.html

Quote of the day

5 Reasons Getting What You Want might not be Good for You by Steven Aitchison

You’ve wanted this thing for so long. This person, this car, this house, this job, this ______ (insert desire). It’s all you can think about. You want it so bad. It’s all you can think of. You look at pictures, daydream about it. It almost consumes you. Your neighbour just got that same car you wanted and you’re dying inside. You are happy for them but jealous at the same time. You’ve had your eye on that internal job for months, but your co-worker got it instead of you. So why not you? Why you can’t have those things you want? Why is it that all those things you want, seem to elude you? We all hear that good things will come to you if you stay positive and put out your intention. So where is it and why did the other guy get it and not you? Sometimes not getting what you want is a brilliant stroke of luck. Here’s why.

1. The business just collapsed. You thought you really wanted that job in that business but instead you took another job. 6 months later that business you thought was awe some just closed down. Lucky you. But is it luck? The universe knows and lined you up to prevent you from future stress. Not all jobs you think you want are actually good for you. The money may be good but money isn’t everything. Not getting that job has given you the opportunity to rethink your career path.

2. That person that you have been admiring for a while and would really love to date? They’re in jail now. Phew. Ok so maybe a bit extreme but you get the point. We think we know someone and they appear to be so great at the start and you are sure they are your perfect match and you daydream for hours about marrying them. Then boom. Turns out they aren’t so picture perfect after all. The universe saved you again. It also is giving you time to prepare yourself for that person who is perfect for you.

3. Changing the course of your life. We really don’t know what is ahead. We can plan tomorrow but anything can happen between now and then. Life will throw many curveballs at you but the trick is to learn how to juggle them and toss them back. With every experience and every thing you thought you wanted and lost, you learned something new and grew.

4. There is something better for you. You thought that person or job or car was great and when you didn’t get it, it made you sad but then out of the clear blue comes something totally unexpected. Something fantastic and way better than what you first thought you really wanted. A better job, better deal on a car, nicer partner. Bigger better nicer, there is something definitely better just around the corner for you. Be patient.

5. You’ll get better at rolling with changes. When things don’t go your way, things don’t come to you, you get turned down for things, etc. Eventually you will grow from all the changes and become more open minded and learn how to deal with them. You will also see that better things happen and your attitude will be more positive too.

The saying holds true. Not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck. At first we don’t recognize it as such. For a lot of us, what happens is we get frustrated, angry or even depressed when what we want doesn’t transpire for us. We question it and ourselves. We wonder what we did wrong and why can’t we have it. In reality, you have done nothing wrong and it has everything to do with the fact that the universe knows exactly what you need and when you need it. Have faith and let go. http://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/blog/5-reasons-getting-what-you-want-might-not-be-good-for-you/

8 Secrets of People who don't have Clutter by PureWow

8 Secrets of People Who Don’t Have Clutter Cut the crap with these simple tips Your old stand-mixer. Your kid’s broken recorder. That box of candles you’ve been meaning to regift. Despite your best intentions, clutter has a way of piling up…and taking over. Here, eight secrets of folks who are magically able to keep their homes free of stuff. 1. THEY DON'T KEEP GIFTS THEY DON'T LIKE It might seem callous, but there’s no shame in parting with gifts that aren’t your thing. If you're worried you'll offend your mother-in-law, rest assured that she probably won’t ask you where that Santa paperweight went. And if she does, you can always lie and say you’re keeping it at the office. 2. THEY DON'T OWN CLOTHES THEY DON'T LIKE This one seems obvious, but think about it: How many ugly sweatshirts are you hanging onto just because you might wear them to paint the garage some day? Put those suckers out to pasture. (And when painting day comes, we promise you’ll find a way not to be topless.) 3. THEY DON'T DISTINGUISH BETWEEN SUMMER AND WINTER WARDROBES You thought that box of bathing suits in your basement was an honest effort to stay organized. But in reality, it’s giving you an excuse to hold onto stuff you don’t need. (C’mon are you ever going to wear that rainbow string bikini?) A good rule of thumb: Your entire yearly wardrobe should fit in your drawers and closet. If it doesn’t, you need to purge. 4. THEY DIGITIZE Some things--like your first edition Alice in Wonderland--are nice to own in the flesh. Other things--like tax returns from 2006--are better off kept in the cloud. Take stock of your papers, books and emovies to see what you could easily digitize and store on your computer or online. 5. THEY INVEST IN SMART GARBAGE SOLUTIONS Dear anyone who has a stack of magazines or empty water bottles in her mudroom: If you have dedicated recycling bins (preferably tucked away or built into a cabinet), you are far more likely to keep trash out of sight until collection day arrives. 6. THEY CLEAN THEIR COUNTERTOPS DAILY Ever try to wipe down a countertop that’s covered in crap? Not so easy, is it? 7. WHEN THEY BUY A NEW ITEM, THEY THROW OUT AN OLD ONE Think about the stuff in your house in terms of finite numbers. You have 20 pairs of shoes. You have 3 spatulas. You have 6 tubes of lipstick. When you buy a new pair of boots or even just a fun, little cooking utensil, an old one has to go. 8. THEY DON'T HAVE A JUNK DRAWER Yes, it’s tempting to have a place to store the stuff you’re not quite sure what to do with. But mark our words: Once you allow that old cell phone charger into junk-drawer purgatory, it’s a slippery slope toward total chaos. Best to throw it out, or assign it a proper home in the first place. http://www.purewow.com/home/Secrets-of-People-Who-Dont-Have-Clutter?utm_campaign=mindbodygreen.com&utm_source=pubexchange&utm_medium=syndication&utm_content=pubexchange_module

The Only Beauty Product you'll ever need by Ella Woodward

Coconut oil is an absolute miracle ingredient and an all-around superfood. It's usually thought of as a food full of important vitamins, minerals and fats. But coconut oil isn't just great in the kitchen — it's also a rock star beauty ingredient. I always have a pot of it in my bathroom as it has so many amazing properties that help your whole body glow. I use it as a moisturizer, hair mask, makeup remover, exfoliator, nail softener, lip balm and a bath time wonder. It's a serious all-rounder! Just make sure to use raw, unrefined, virgin, organic coconut oil.

Moisturizer Coconut oil acts as a sweet, smooth, tropical-smelling lotion that works as an amazing moisturizer. I use it on my face and body before bed, and find that I always wake up looking fresh the next morning with my skin looking happy. Coconut oil is full of microbial and antifungal properties that help skin heal itself, whilst all it's vitamins and healthy fats nourish, plump and moisturize the skin. As a body moisturizer, it gets rid of dryness, especially around areas like cracked feet, elbows or even eczema patches. It's the perfect answer for soothing cracked, dry lips in the winter and even sunburns in the summer, as its so deeply moisturizing. The vitamin E content also helps reduce the appearance of scars so if you ever burn yourself, be sure to smother the burn area in coconut oil!

Hair Mask I also use coconut oil as a hair mask to deeply condition and soften the ends of my hair. I add a spoonful to my ends and then try to leave it on overnight, but even ten minutes makes a difference. It instantly revives dry, limp hair and leaves it looking bouncy and beautiful. If you're prone to dandruff or a particularly irritated scalp, massaging a Tbsp into your scalp for a few minutes will help calm and revitalize your hair roots for happier locks and a healthier head. Though it'll need a few rounds of shampooing to fully wash out, it's worth it!

Makeup Remover The next use for coconut oil is as a makeup remover. I just add a pea-sized amount to my eyes and gently rub it in to take off all eye makeup. Trust me, even waterproof mascara stands no chance! It melts away any makeup, meaning you'll never again wake up with panda eyes in the morning!

Exfoliator I mix coconut oil with brown sugar for a completely natural body scrub. It gets rid of all lumps, bumps and dead skin from your body while leaving it feeling soft. It also moisturizes your body as you scrub, which is an awesome added bonus.

Nails Coconut oil also feels lovely rubbed into your cuticles and nail beds before bed, especially if you've been wearing nail polish.

Lips I use coconut oil to soothe and moisturize cracked or dry lips in the winter and even sunburn in the summer.

Bath A spoonful of coconut oil in your tub helps create a perfect bath. It infuses the water with a calming scent while also moisturizing and nourishing your body as your soak. Your skin will feel soft and velvety when you get out, especially if you're exfoliated also. Just add a spoonful into the hot water and swirl it around before you slip in. Photo courtesy of the author http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-16277/the-only-beauty-product-youll-ever-need.htm

Look beneath the surface

Djeco Princess Marguerite lampshade

The 'Princess Marguerite' rice paper lampshade from Djeco is charming and decorative both day and night. This pretty princess themed design also features birds, hearts and flowers. Beautiful baby,s room, nursery and playroom decor. Assembly required. Dimensions: 40cm Box Size: 40 x x 40 x 1cm http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001GZK3AK

In the Forest lampshade - Nursery Decor by Djeco

Beautiful cut-out Chinese Lantern lampshade by Djeco - with a forest theme. Wonderful addition to any nursery,baby's room or playroom

Happy First Day of Spring! 6 Rituals to tap into the Season's Energy by Barbara Biziou

Although we have gone from blizzards to uncanny warm days this winter, spring is finally in the air. Spring is the time when cultures around the world celebrate the possibility of new growth and fresh beginnings. In fact, the New Year was originally celebrated in March and early April, and anyone who didn’t realize it was considered an “April fool.” Remember, symbols are the language of the soul, and ritual speaks that language fluently. Here are six powerful rituals you can use to welcome spring and experience the seen and unseen worlds of infinite possibilities:

1. Love Mother Nature. Every culture, past and present, celebrates the natural beauty of spring with yearly rituals. In Rome, the lengthening of the day that followed the vernal (spring) equinox was marked by sacrifices to celebrate the death and rebirth of Attis—the god of vegetation. Goddesses of fertility—the Greeks’ Aphrodite, the Native Americans’ Spider woman, Mexico’s Tonantzin, Africa’s Oshun, Norway’s Freya, and Rome’s Flora—were all honored in the spring as well. Outdoor rituals infuse the world with new energy, so go out and plant a tree, clean up your local park, or participate in a community garden. Have a picnic in nature and bless some seeds for the coming season—hold them in your hands and visualize how each one holds the full potential for life. When you are finished, plant them in the earth and leave some for the birds to eat. Think of nature as a window into the natural world of the Divine.

2. Clean your home. In ancient Rome, women cleaned their houses in honor of Vesta—the goddess of the hearth. Take a cue from them and release the heaviness of winter by cleaning out your home. Get up early and gather clothes, toys, books, and other items that add clutter to your space. Donate them to a shelter, school, or needy family. This is a great way to create space for new life to emerge and reinforce the idea that giving is a blessing. When you’re finished, you’ll feel lighter, and so will the energy in your home. Purify your space even further by burning sage or copal, or opening all the windows to let in the fresh air. Symbols are the language of the soul, and ritual speaks that language fluently.

3. Disconnect from negativity. Our thoughts affect our emotions, which then influence the choices we make. Think about how you feel when you walk into a room where everyone is happy and positive, and then consider how you feel when you're surrounded by complaints and negativity. Emotions are contagious, so decide whose opinions you want to listen to and drop the rest. Carefully pick films, books, and TV shows that lift your spirit, and tune out the negative ones this season.

4. Create a basket of support. On separate pieces of paper, write down the names of people, places, animals, or objects that you feel support your efforts and have your back. Include those who have passed on to Spirit. Place the slips of paper into a basket or bowl and, once a week or more this spring, pick out a name from the basket and consciously send and receive love with that person throughout the day. You can send them an email, pick up a phone and call them, or simply think of them. It's been amazing to hear some of the people I reach out to tell me that they'd been feeling sick or scared and saw my presence as a source of comfort.

5. Gather scented gemstones. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and the one that begins our spring season, so why not create a magical bowl of scented gemstones to harness the symbol's energy? Gather gems that elicit spontaneous, daring, active, and courageous energy for springtime, like jasper, garnet ruby, diamond, amethyst, aquamarine, carnelian, or topaz. Anoint them with clove, coriander, frankincense, neroli, or pine, and breathe in the aroma to strengthen the Aries in you.

6. Make flower wishes. Write your wishes for the season on ribbons and tie them around flowers. You can gift these spirited bouquets to loved ones, friends, and even people you've just met. This simple act of generosity reminds me of the early peace marches in New York when people gave daffodils to strangers as a sign of peace and hope for the world. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-23873/happy-first-day-of-spring-6-rituals-to-tap-into-the-seasons-energy.html

Try it

Djeco Felt Tips with Flowers - Charming Easter gift for child over 7

Djeco Felt Tips with Flowers is an exquisite drawing by numbers style creative kit that comes with 4 beautifully illustrated images to complete using the 8 artist quality double ended felt tip pens. The completed pictures will look perfect on a bedroom wall and the pens will last and last. Box dimensions 16.5 by 23 by 4cms. Recommended for ages 7 to 13 years old. http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001BR5MWC

A Doctor Explains How to Write the Prescription For Your Own Health by Dr Lissa Rankin

Dr. Lissa Rankin is on a mission to merge science and spirituality. A certified MD and expert in integrative health, Lissa is a thought leader in mind-body medicine. If you're inspired to learn more, check out her new course: Getting Back to 100 Percent: A Six-Step Process for Radical Self-Healing. In my book, Mind Over Medicine, and in the training program I run for doctors and other health care providers, the Whole Health Medicine Institute, I teach the "6 steps to healing yourself" and step 5 is always to write your own prescription. I’m a physician, so it might sound strange for me to suggest that you may be able to write a prescription for yourself. Let me clarify: I’m NOT talking about having you steal a prescription pad so you can write an illegal script for your own Xanax. Nor am I telling you to listen to all those direct-to-consumer marketing ads that suggest "asking your doctor” for whatever expensive new wonder drug is on the market. (Did you know that direct-to-consumer marketing for prescription drugs is only legal in two countries in the world — the U.S. and New Zealand? But that’s a topic for another blog post.) What I’m suggesting is something radically different.

While conventional medical treatment options — drugs, surgeries, or other standard medical interventions — will get you far, I'm asking you to go even deeper. I'm encouraging you to diagnose the root cause of your illness or, if you’re not sick, the root cause of why you're not feeling 100 percent. In other words, find the aspect of your life that's predisposing you to illness or manifesting itself as sluggish energy or chronic fatigue. Here's how to do it: I’m not suggesting that you refuse a doctor’s conventional recommendations.

1. Address the root cause of illness. In order to address the root causes making you susceptible to illness, you’ll really need to listen to your “Inner Pilot Light" — that wise inner doctor who knows what’s best for you. Let’s suppose that someone with cancer or another serious illness feels lonely, works in a soul-sucking job, or has underlying depression. If you're sick and you’re not addressing your loneliness, stress, or depression, taking medicine may help in the short term, but the changes won't necessarily be permanent. Your illness may come back, or you might wind up with some other ailment because your body is still at the mercy of the root cause that put you at risk in the first place. I’m not suggesting that you refuse a doctor’s conventional recommendations. If your Inner Pilot Light says, “Hell yeah” to drugs, surgery, or any other treatment, do it. Modern medicine can work miracles, but so can your intuition.

2. Take charge of your health (with humility). Part of writing the prescription for yourself is stepping up to the plate as the head honcho of your health care. Remember, you’re the boss. Everyone else is in service to you. This doesn’t give you license to be a jerk to your doctor or anyone else who is doing his or her best to help you. Entitlement will not help you, but empowerment will. Make your body ripe for miracles by staying both empowered and humble. Let go of any victim story or perceived power imbalance between you and your doctor. You can call upon doctors and healers for their expertise, opinions, and support without relinquishing your power or violating your intuition. If your body is physically ill, sure, your doctor will help you diagnose what’s wrong, write prescriptions, and recommend surgery when they think it's necessary. But it’s up to you whether you take those drugs or submit to that surgery. If you do feel guided to partake of what conventional medicine has to offer, don’t stop there! Conventional medical treatment may be part of your larger prescription to health, but don’t use it as a crutch to avoid doing the deep inner work that helps you heal at the soul level. Modern medicine can work miracles, but so can your intuition.

3. Have the courage to heal from the root. By writing a prescription for yourself, you're refusing to allow medical treatment to serve as a Band-Aid that keeps you from facing the truth about where your life is out of alignment. Every individual’s prescription is going to be unique. Maybe your prescription, in addition to medicine, will include adjusting your wellness routine by cutting out carbs, starting an exercise regimen, or adding green juice to your diet. Or it might include actions like finding a community, leaving your job, finding your calling, or prioritizing self-care. When you’re willing to be honest with yourself about what your body might be saying “no” to, you come face to face with the truth of who you are and what your soul needs in order to fully express its glorious radiance.

Once you heal any soul sickness that's interfering with your health, you'll not only start to feel better — you'll start to glow. You'll open yourself to synchronicity and move closer to finding and fulfilling your calling in the world. Optimal health is just one of many magical unfoldings that often accompanies doing the deep inner work of writing your own prescription http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-24073/a-doctor-explains-how-to-write-the-prescription-for-your-own-health.html

15 Hormone-Healthy Foods I Always Keep in my Fridge by Alisa Vitti

As a hormone expert, I field a lot of questions from confused women in all stages of endocrine distress. And the solution I always come back to, time and time again, is simple: food. But while the answer isn't complicated, implementing it correctly can often raise even more questions. I get it: we’re all bombarded with so many messages about diets and calories and fat grams (oh my!) that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But I really mean it when I say my solution is simple; I subscribe to one specific way of eating, and I wholeheartedly believe it’s a universal way to help address the full spectrum of hormonal chaos. I eat in a way that best supports the phase of my menstrual cycle that I’m experiencing at the time. It’s the eating plan I advocate for all women, no matter what hormonal quandary they’re dealing with.

To give you an idea of the foods I recommend, I thought it might be helpful to show you what the inside of my fridge actually looks like: * * * * * * * * * * TOP SHELF Eggs (Pasture-Raised) The consumption of eggs is one of the common denominators between populations who live the longest, according to the Blue Zones. That might be because eggs are the most easily assimilated bioavailable protein source. They contain lots of good-quality fats and amino acids, which is what hormones are made from. * * * * * * * * * Coconut Yogurt I haven’t had dairy in almost two decades because I’m a big believer that it’s just an all-around bad guy for hormonal health. For one, the antibiotics it contains can negatively affect your microbiome, which prevents estrogen metabolism. But yogurt is still an excellent source of good bacteria, and it can be delicious! A coconut-based version is dairy-free and super good (my favorite is Anita's Creamline Coconut Yogurt). * * * * * * * * * Blueberries and Strawberries Fresh and organic berries are full of antioxidants, and they’ve been shown to be powerful blood sugar and insulin stabilizers. Plus, they're packed with gut-healthy fiber. * * * * * * * * * Almond Milk Unsweetened almond milk is a great alternative to dairy, and I personally think it tastes better than cow's milk! * * * * * * * * * Coconut Water Drinking organic coconut water is a great way to beat the bloat and reduce water retention, which can often be caused by magnesium deficiency or heightened cortisol. I recommend the Purity Organic brand. * * * * * * * * * Sunflower Seed Butter SunButter Organic Sunflower Spread is my absolute favorite nut butter—I love to spread it on gluten-free toast and top with fruit. Sunflower seeds are an amazing source of fiber, magnesium, niacin, and antioxidants like vitamin E. * * * * * * * * * Gluten-Free Bread Going gluten-free can be difficult for bread lovers, but a rice substitute definitely satisfies the cravings and then some! My favorite is Food for Life Exotic Black Rice Bread—it has a great, moist texture that many gluten-free breads lack, and it packs in extra antioxidants. * * * * * * * * * Ground Flaxseed Flaxseed is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and lignans—which bind to estrogen receptors and could help prevent absorption of excess estrogen—as well as fiber. I recommend the Spectrum Organic brand. * * * * * * * * * Sauerkraut A couple of tablespoons a day of fermented foods rich in good bacteria—like kimchi and sauerkraut—work wonders for re-establishing healthy gut flora. I like Hawthorne Valley Organic Sauerkraut. * * * * * * * *

SECOND SHELF * * * * * * * * * Organic greens Kale, baby spinach, broccoli, and watercress are amazing for so many reasons, including that they contain the phytochemicals sulphorophanes, indole-3-carbinol, and D-glucarate, which are critical liver detoxifiers. * * * * * * * * * Avocados Avocados are a wonderful source of monounsaturated fatty acids. One of my absolute favorite research studies that I often reference is a Harvard School of Public Health study that found women undergoing IVF who ate the highest amounts of this important nutrient were 3.4 times more likely to conceive than those who ate the lowest amount. * * * * * * * * *

THIRD SHELF * * * * * * * * Grass-Fed Bison and Lamb; Organic Chicken and Turkey We need protein to make the amino acids that manufacture our hormones. A lack of protein could cause us to age prematurely, both in how we look and feel and in terms of our biological age, including fertility. I recommend bison and lamb as great protein sources in the second half of your cycle, when you might be low on iron and craving meat. * * * * * * * * * Wild King Salmon and Wild Codfish Wild fish is another high-quality source of protein, and salmon and codfish are also packed with hormone-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and essential amino acids. * * * * * * * * *

DRAWERS * * * * * * * * * Organic Peaches, Nectarines, Apples, Lemons, and Pears These contain important flavonoids, as well as lots of fiber. Organic Zucchini, Green Beans, Celery, Carrots, Parsnips, and Sweet Potato Fresh veggies play a big role in my diet. I recommend root vegetables, like sweet potatoes, and leafy greens from the Brassica family, like kale, during the luteal phase of your cycle to help support the liver and make sure you're keeping an optimal ratio of estrogen. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-24127/15-hormone-healthy-foods-i-always-keep-in-my-fridge.html

Ginger Orange Vegan Cup Cakes you can eat for Breakfast by Jesse Lane Lee

These cupcakes are moist and sweet, with a warming ginger and zesty orange. They're topped with a smooth frosting made from Medjool dates and sprinkled with orange zest for color and extra zing. Instead of refined sugar, these cupcakes are sweetened with iron-rich blackstrap molasses and low-GI coconut sugar.

Ginger-Orange Cupcakes Makes 9 cupcakes Ingredients 2 tablespoons ground chia seeds, 6 tablespoons water 2¼ cups spelt flour ½ cup coconut sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon Himalayan rock salt 1½ teaspoons dried ginger ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¾ cup blackstrap molasses ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted ½ cup almond milk ½ teaspoon vanilla Spiced Date Icing (recipe below) 2 tablespoons orange zest

Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with paper or silicone liners. 2. Mix ground chia seeds and add water. Set aside to for 5 minutes to make chia eggs. 3. Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cinnamon together in a large bowl. 4. In a small bowl, mix molasses, melted coconut oil, almond milk, chia eggs, and vanilla. 5. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and mix until incorporated. 6. Spoon mixture into muffin liners until ¾ full and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 7. Let cool for 30 minutes and ice with Spiced Date Icing (see recipe below) and sprinkle with orange zest.

Spiced Date Icing Ingredients 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted ¼ cup maple syrup ½ cup water 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ginger 2 tablespoons orange zest ⅛ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt

Preparation Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-23962/ginger-orange-vegan-cupcakes-you-can-eat-for-breakfast.html

Why Living in a Smaller Home can help you raise a Happy Kid by Brett Graff

In her new book, Not Buying It: Stop Overspending and Start Raising Happier, Healthier, More Successful Kids, Brett Graff, a former economist and now a nationally known personal finance and parenting expert, breaks down the myths around money and child-rearing. In this adapted excerpt, she explains why buying a big house isn't necessary—and how having a smaller home can actually benefit kids in the long run. Just after announcing their pregnancy, my friends Larry and Gayle bought their dream McMansion in a suburb of Cleveland. The home brought the great promise of happiness an American family can achieve only by acquiring an oversize kitchen, a sprawling master bath, and 15-foot ceilings. Larry happily embarked on his new two-hour commute to work, shrugging his shoulders and saying, “Oh, it’s not bad,” before reminding us about all the reading one can accomplish on a train ride.

That’s hardly debatable—we all want more reading time. But what might be worth examining are the motives behind American families’ lust for larger homes. Homes are the single most expensive aspect of raising kids, according to a 2014 government report. And newly constructed houses have, on average, increased in size by 53 percent since 1973, according to the Census Bureau. The ratio of houses with three or more stories has doubled. Kids thrive in smaller houses, which foster family communication and cultivate bonding between siblings. New homes are designed with features that provide for more space and greater privacy. While these features most certainly come in handy when we’re touring our friends around, experts wonder: Where did we get the idea that sprawling living rooms and child-centric wings are essential for successfully raising kids?

Why You Don't Need a Big Home to Raise a Successful, Happy Kid Big houses are not necessarily bad for families. But we seem to have collectively decided that when it comes to living quarters, bigger is better in every circumstance. That each of us needs space and privacy. That all our friends have a big house, so we should get one, too. These houses—we may have come to believe—are tangible measures of our happiness and success. And that’s 100 percent false.

Kids thrive in smaller houses, which by design can help them dodge some invisible struggles that later plague adolescents and teens. For starters, these homes create more convenient backdrops for family communication and cultivate bonding between siblings. Plus, sometimes smaller homes are closer to a city and tend to cut down parents’ commute times.

And who was it that decided that each of our kids should have their own bedroom? There’s no research stating that children, particularly young ones, thrive more fully when they can close the door and be alone. On the contrary, room-sharing has a litany of psychological benefits, starting with the sense of emotional protection at bedtime. Because the frontal lobe of a child’s brain is still developing between the ages of 2 and 5, kids cannot separate imaginary life from real life, says Dr. Gwen Wurm, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician in Miami who wrote the foreword to my book. This accounts for kids truly believing there are monsters in the closet. And having a sibling in the room offers a security they might not be able to express or even realize. That presence can combat resistance to bedtime and can foster peaceful sleeping, says Dr. Wurm.

Smaller houses encourage the kind of unscripted moments during which real teaching and genuine communication occurs. That doesn’t mean peace will remain through all waking hours. Small disagreements and full-scale wars, complete with the hurling of toy-car missiles, are a certainty among all siblings, including those who share a room. But even that clashing can set the stage for the kind of sibling connection that lasts a lifetime. Room-sharing provides so many ways for sisters or brothers or even combinations—though there are benefits to separating those kids before puberty—to work together as a team and learn to negotiate. A bunkmate also provides kids with a built-in confidante. And a strong sibling bond has lifelong benefits.

A smaller home also probably means the TV can be heard from around the house. The rewards come when we’re able to effortlessly monitor what our kids are watching. We can scream, “Change the channel,” or simply step in and magically appear for a teachable moment, educating our kids on being careful consumers during commercials. While fast-food chains and toy makers are trying to hold them captive, we can explain that people on television may seem beautiful and happy stuffing fries in their mouths, but they are acting.

It’s simple: The more opportunities a family has to communicate, the more a family will communicate. Smaller houses encourage the kind of unscripted moments during which real teaching and genuine communication occurs, says Dr. Wurm. The best discussions aren’t planned, she says, but are sparked from passing each other in hallways or from sitting around a kitchen island. Smaller homes give kids and adults easy access to one another, making the spontaneous expression of a thought or daily event practically effortless.

And if the size of your house means kids are sick of seeing you all the time, good; tell them to go outside. Rather than lounging around on leather sofas, Dr. Wurm wants to see our kids spend time outdoors, particularly in green or wooded areas. This enhances their physical and mental well-being. Sunlight and trees are natural mood elevators, and exercise improves a kid’s ability to learn and concentrate. Studies from the University of Illinois point out that kids score better on tests after exercise, and separate research proves children with ADHD display higher levels of focus after coming in from outside.

Overall, all this is not to say that people in big houses won’t be home in time for dinner or will somehow neglect to communicate with their unsuccessful kids. Besides, how could we even define the words "big houses," seeing as it would have a far different definition for a family in New York City than it would for a Texan? Rather, the idea is to introduce some alternative considerations when contemplating the homes we choose and evaluating their locations and sizes. Or even during those unfortunate times when we compare our lives to other people’s lives.

It’s true, many families—hopefully most—with colossal kitchens will do a great job of organizing sibling-bonding opportunities. But considering the true developmental needs of our kids, those families without so much space will not be doing even one bit worse. Adapted excerpt from Not Buying It: Stop Overspending and Start Raising Happier, Healthier, More Successful Kids by Brett Graff. Available from Seal Press, a member of The Perseus Books Group. Copyright © 2016. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-24064/why-living-in-a-smaller-home-can-help-you-raise-a-happy-kid.html