Good MORSELICIOUS Monday Morning!

It’s official! Mo, the Morselist is a Certified AADP (American Act of Drugless Practioners)  Health Coach. Today was my final exam and I am graduating from my incredible Nutrition School, The Institute of Integrative Nutrition!  YIPPEEE!!  I have learned so much and am eager to share mo’ with you. Please contact me to schedule a complimentary health coaching session.  I also do guest speaking, presentations, cooking & baking classes and I LOOOOOVE it!  www.themorselist.com

What did you do over the weekend? I had the pleasure of my sister visiting and we dropped by to visit my AMAZING intern, Julie and her MORSELICIOUS table at The Spice Station in Silver Lake, a stunning spicy sanctuary. If you live in So Cal, do yourself a favor and pay them a visit. I’ve never smelled so many fragrant spices from ALL over the world and the courtyard is simply stunning!

There’s one week left of the 12 days of MORSELICIOUS savings. Have you gotten all of your special elves their morsels?  Today’s coupon code is “MORSELICIOUSMON” for 10% off your entire order when you shop:  http://shop.macnmos.com/main.sc

Here is an article I wrote that was published in http://www.examiner.com/article/making-time-12-days-of-morselicious-healthier-holidays?CID=examiner_alerts_article

How many of us are guilty of NOT making time for important things like

Ourselves? Our health? Well being? Fun?
It’s the holidays and that jolly man in the big red suit is making a list and checking it twice. He’s gonna find out if you’ve been naughty or nice.
What 3 things can you list off the top of your morselicious head that you are NOT making time for right now? O.K….GO!

1. Serious deep breathing/relaxation would be NICE!
2. Playing, it’s the holidays for God’s sake, who has time? NAUGHTY!!
3. Sleep…remember, he see’s you when you’re sleeping… ☺

Those were my top 3.
Now, it’s your turn.
Jot down or blurt out your top 3! I can’t hear you!

I recently read a quote, “those who think they have no time for healthy eating, will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” This made me pause, ponder, pontificate.
The 3 p’s, I will call it and for a 4th “p” let’s do a lil’ puzzle which allows me to share a recipe that starts with a capital “P” and rhymes with “hint” and stands for Morseliciousness! Name that variation of the tune/musical for mo’ morsel points.
OK! Back to making time for the IMPORTANT things, which we may put on the back burner and let simmer until the cocoa or illness starts to boil. I mention cocoa,
Because that’s part of the recipe I’ll be sharing with you and it’s on my brain and in my tummy. But, I digress.
The absence of illness does not make us healthy. How do you define health?
What are you willing to do to obtain or maintain your optimal health?
May I offer a few suggestions? In light of the holidays and the infamous 12 days of Christmas song or as I like to sing, the 12 days of Morseliciousness, though it is a mouthful, here are 12 tips to making time for a healthier holiday.

1. Make sure to have fun and belly laugh, like a bowl full o’ jelly, but make it sugar free and I’m not talking chemical sugar free.
2. Get your rest, sleep, cat naps, pug naps, however, whenever you are able. Believe me, every zzz helps.
3. Relax, meditate, breathe deeply, exhale!
4. Schedule a fun date with yourself and/or a friend, loved one. Take advantage of a free holiday event in your community; for example checking out the festive lights, a concert or ice skating in the park, caroling.
5. Be grateful. Most of us have more than we need. Take time to give thanks. Focus on the abundance you have.
6. Volunteer. Donate clothes, food to a homeless shelter. Sing carols at a nursing home. Bring friends. It’s amazing how much they will love it and sing along and in return, bring more of the holiday cheer to you.
7. Make a big pot of veggie chili or soup and share some with your neighbors, especially if they are lonely. The holidays can be a trying time for those who have lost loved ones or are alone.
8. Host a movie night and pop some corn, make some of my Minty Cocoa, (oops I spilled the cacao beans). My sister and I LOVE the old tv special, The Year without a Santa Claus. Who can refuse the Heat Miser and Snow Miser and their mini minions? What’s your favorite holiday special?
9. Compile a list of your favorite holiday songs and make a play list or CD. Yes, I still burn C.D.’s and blast the tunes & sing while you cook, write, drive, shower…just SING! ☺
10. Reflect. Remember all the accomplishments you have made this past year. What are your favorite memories? Moments? Are there any things you’d like to do differently in the year ahead? People you’d like to re-connect?
11. Create a healthy recipe or play with a variation of one of your holiday favorites. Try a mealtless version or cut the sugar in half. Use spices and herbs in lieu of salt.
12. Celebrate! Celebrate the holidays. Celebrate your family, friends, food and all the good in your life. And most of all celebrate YOU and YOUR health. As the Irish say,“Slainte!” (a.k.a. “to your health) and as I say “HO HO HO, xo Mo”

Mo’s Minty Cocoa
Gluten-free, vegan, low sugar, low sodium

Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsweetened cacao or cocoa (spend a little extra for a finer/richer taste-you’ll need less sweetener)
¼ cup coconut cream (the full fat kind in a can)
¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 pinch of pure stevia (not the stuff with added junk)

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and stir over low heat, until the cocoa bubbles and the minty aroma permeates your kitchen.

Pour into your favorite mug, sip and enjoy! Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Serves one.
Double, triple, quadruple to share mo’ Morseliciousness!