If you haven’t figured by the title, this May I am focusing on meditating. Meditation is something I have played with on and off for a few years. I want to be the kind of person who meditates twice a day, or even once daily- but for a long time I thought I just couldn’t. That meditation just wasn’t for me. But the more I read, the more I delve into it, I discovered that couldn’t be further from the truth. Anyone can start a meditation practice. And likely those of use who think we can’t are the ones that need it the most.
The benefits of having a regular meditation practice are numerous. In many cultures, meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. Though in the busy world of North America, this practice seems to have been all but disregarded except for a select few yogis.
In an article from Psychology Today, the author provides research evidence from neuroscientists that meditation shifts brain activity, decreasing stress, depression, and anxiety. It’s not just a hippy-dippy idea; it’s science.
I will admit it was yoga that first introduced me to the practice of meditation; though when I first started even a few minutes of Savansana at the end of each practice made me antsy. Slowly I began to adjust, and even enjoy this time of peace and quiet at the beginning and end of each class. But settling my thoughts was another story. So I have tried, multiple times to meditate for a few minutes a day- I have even worked my way up to about 15 minutes of silence. But these efforts never last long, I may go a week or two meditating every morning, but eventually I start “forgetting” or finding other things more pressing (i.e. I want my smoothie NOW, forget sitting in silence!).
But as we are learning more and more, meditation is incredibly valuable- and maybe even vital, to health. So for that, practicing meditation once daily- for no less than 10 minutes, is my May health challenge.
For more, check out:
The Science of Meditation.
Meditation… It’s benefits
Meditation for lazy people
~
{Make it homemade}
In addition to my May challenge, today I thought I would bring you my favorite new homemade switch (next to almond milk, that is): nut butter. Making your own nut butter is as easy as pie… well, really I don’t think pie is all that easy (especially gluten-free pie)… so it’s easier than pie, how about that?
Nut butters, especially almond butter and cashew butter, are something I go through fairly frequently, and tend to buy about once a month. But I have a food processor, and always have nuts on hand, so why not save the extra cash and put my processor to work a little bit?
Depending on the strength of your food processor, this may take two minutes, and it may take ten. But the method is all the same- easy peasy.
Homemade nut butter formula:
1 cup of nuts, toasted (in a 325 oven for about 10 minutes until just golden) OR raw (I prefer raw, but that’s just me)
[You could use: almonds, cashews, pecans, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts... or choose sunflower, pumpkin or sesame seeds and make a seed butter!]
1 tablespoon oil of choice (just to make it go smoothly- I love coconut)
pinch of sea salt (to taste)
sweetener of choice (optional- you could use organic sucanat/sugar, stevia, honey/agave, maple syrup, coconut crystals, vanilla…)
1. Throw the nuts in a food processor with a pinch of salt and the oil; process until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. It will take a few minutes, but be patient: it will happen!
2. Add sweetener to taste. I prefer the raw flavor of the nuts and oil and the salt brings out the flavor a bit, but if you want something sweeter, by all means add it!
3. Store in a glass jar on the counter if you’re using it within the week, or the fridge if you plan to store it longer.
{Cashew Coco Butter}
1 cup cashews
1 tbsp coconut oil
pinch of sea salt
It really is just as easy, and much more cost-effective than store bought! And really, the fresh taste can’t be beat!
For some fabulous homemade nut butter recipes, check out Ashley’s blog! She is the queen of nut butters 
Do you meditate? Want to join in on my challenge?
How about nut butters? Have a favorite homemade recipe?
xo
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Holy yum- did you make this in the food processor? Add this to my list along with the other things that I need to order
Yes I did make it in the food processor- you need one! I also hear you can make it in the Vita Mix
xo
Don’t tempt me…
I’ve been meditating everyday for the past month-6weeks or so. I’m also someone who thought she could never meditate but I am finding increased focus and decreased stress as a result. Even though I often have a hard time calming down my monkey mind I do feel a lot of positive benefits from committing to sitting on my mat every morning.
I am the same with meditating, start off strong then taper off. I want to make this my challenge for May too! and to make some of that yummy homemade nut butter. . .
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