Marble Swirl Gluten Free Cupcakes*

Vanilla Batter

You'll Need:

1/4 cup coconut flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons grapeseed oil

1/3 cup agave nectar

Chocolate Batter

You'll Need:

2 tablespoons coconut flour

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon grapeseed oil

1/4 cup agave nectar

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 8 muffin cups with paper liners.

To make the vanilla batter, in a large bowl, combine the coconut flour and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, grapeseed oil, and agave nectar. Stir the wet ingredients into the coconut flour mixture with a large spoon until thoroughly combined.

To make the chocolate batter, in a large bowl, combine the coconut four, cocoa powder, and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, grapeseed oil, and agave nectar. Stir the wet ingredients into the coconut flour mixture with a large spoon until thoroughly combined.

Fill each prepared muffin cup with 4 tablespoons of batter, alternating tablespoons of chocolate and vanilla, starting with chocolate batter and ending with vanilla. Use a toothpick to swirl the batter in figure eights.

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 1 hour, then frost and serve!

Tano, The Elephant!

This is my new baby, Tano!

I am fostering her for the next year - helping with all costs related to medical, food & care needed.

My hope is to travel to Kenya to meet the little love bug.

Until then, I will viritually care for her.

check out more information at http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/asp/fostering.asp

xx

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."

"Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true."

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

"Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish."

-Steve Jobs

Super Powers to Seychelles.

I had an interesting question asked to me today, "If you could have one super power, what would it be?" Without much hesitation, I replied "Teleporting with the snap of my finger". It seemed simple, at any moment in time I could think of my desired destination and without more than a quick finger snap, I would appear there.

Not short after this conversation, I learned about the amazing Republic of Seychelles.

"Seychelles’ 115 granite and coral islands extend from between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator and lie between the east coast of Africa in the western Indian Ocean.

The cosmopolitan Seychellois are a colourful blend of peoples of different races, cultures and religions.  At different times in its history, people of African, European and Asian origin have come to Seychelles, bringing with them their distinct traditions and customs and contributing to the way of life and to the vibrant Seychellois culture.

One can see these influences at work throughout the domains of local art, cuisine, music, dance and architecture."

 Of course, I pondered about how ideal it would be if I actually could transport to these islands at this moment.

Instead, I thought I'd write to this and let others know about the amazing gem that lies within the Indian Ocean. Ah, Seychelles-- I'll get to you someday.





This Time For Africa.

I have many plans in this life to see the world. All of it. I am a creature of movement & travel and my "bucket list" of places to experience is infinite. I am unsure of my exact plan of how, but I can assure that my passion is strong enough to take me through this globe one way or another. I am genuinely happiest when out of my element and in a new surrounding. I have an endless appreciation for the natural beauty and array of cultures that make-up this big round ball in which we reside.

Lately, my heart has been set on Africa- everything about that continent fascinates me. I would absolutely love to get myself down there to experience it's magnificence. 

See why…

Taken from the wonderful site:
http://www.adelto.co.uk/singita-luxury-african-game-reserve/

Life's Lessons-Listen Up.

Life Advice from Regina Brett, 90 years old.

• Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
• When in doubt, just take the next small step.
• Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
• Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
• Pay off your credit cards every month.
• You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
• Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
• Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
• When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
• Make peace with your past, so it won't screw up the present.
• It's OK to let your children see you cry.
• Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
• If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
• Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
• Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
• Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
• Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
• It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
• When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
• Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
• Over prepare, then go with the flow.
• Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
• No one is in charge of your happiness, but you.
• Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
• Always choose life.
• Forgive everyone everything.
• What other people think of you is none of your business.
• Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
• However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
• Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
• Believe in miracles.
• God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
• Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
• Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
• Your children get only one childhood.
• All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
• Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
• If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
• Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
• The best is yet to come.
• No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
• Yield.
• Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Boots.

Today is a sad day, my dog, Boots has passed.

She lived a wonderful life & will surely be missed.

Love you Booties, you truly were the best pup.