Yoga and Black Beans…in Brownies?

September 8, 2011 2 Comments

Yoga Post of the Day:  Head-to-Knee Forward Bend

 

This pose looks familiar and somewhat simple, but for a person with tight hamstrings (like myself) it can be a bit uncomfortable and challenging.  

 

 

 

For this pose, I had to do the modified easier variation which is using the band around my foot.  If you are more flexible, then the final step would actually be to reach farther and hold onto your wrist and try to make your back as flat as possible.

I had just finished up my 3 mile run, so this stretch was a perfect way to lengthen my hammies.

Benefits of this pose:  Opens the chest and lungs, stretches the calf, hamstring and lower back muscles, helps relieve menstrual and menopausal discomfort, improves digestion, increases circulation to the liver, kidneys and colon, alleviates fatigue and headache, strengthens the lower back.

10 Things All Women Need

Because I don’t go into work until this evening, I had the opportunity to watch the Today Show.  On the segment with Kathy Lee and Hoda they talked about 10 things every woman needs.  The list included

  1. Great serving pieces
  2. A beautiful throw
  3. Personalized stationary
  4. A signature scent
  5. Personalized facial and beauty routine
  6. An everyday tote
  7. Cashmere sweater
  8. Inexpensive Fall Jacket
  9. Beautiful piece of lingerie
  10. Party dress
I really loved their list because I felt like everything on it was attainable, even for a recent college grad on a budget like me!  I think that my favorite items on the list are, great serving pieces because I love making food for others and having them over to share it, a beautiful throw because I am always cold and always have blankets laying around, personalized stationary because I love the hand written letter and stationary can be so personal, and an inexpensive fall jacket because I love jackets (since I am always cold) and they are so cute!
What are your favorites on the list?
Lunch
For lunch today, I used some of the leftover canned salmon from yesterday’s salad.  I mixed:
I then had my favorite side…fresh veggies.
I also baked an experimental treat, and I would have to say (with Brian’s agreement) that the experiment was a success.
Blackbean Brownies (Adapted from Allrecipes.com)
Ingredients:
  • 1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 Tbsp of applesauce
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp of vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 tsp instant coffee
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 35o and grease an 8×8 inch baking pan.  Place all ingredients in food processor except for the chocolate chips.
 Pulse until completely combined.  Pour the batter into the pan and top with chocolate chips.
Bake for 30 minutes.
**Allow to cool completely before cutting (don’t be too anxious like me) they will be crumbly, and the bottom of several brownies may stick to the pan in pieces…oops ;)
Brian totally forgot that there were black beans even in these brownies when he tried them, so trust me…they are good :)

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. realfunfood says:
    September 8, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    I see you’re from Indy :) I went to Indiana State so I know so many people who live in Indy! I love the 10 things every woman needs list, and black bean brownies look excellent!! I love black beans and brownies, so it sounds perfect to combine them.

    Reply

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