April 22, 2015 is Earth Day!

Saleem communing with Mother Earth

I'm excited to spend Earth Day outside and so is Saleem!

There are also plenty of local events to participate in:

Strathcona County is hosting a free screening of the movie "Just Eat It" and an information session about how organic waste is handled in the county on April 22nd.

The City of Edmonton, and Earth's General Store are hosting all kinds of events on the weekend, April 26 and 27th.  I hear my favorite vegan food truck Sailin' On is going to be there!

Online, you can visit the David Suzuki Foundation and enter contests to win prizes from the Queen of Green and IKEA Canada.

Even Value Village is getting on board, offering double stamps for discounts in-store when you donate your pre-loved goods on Wednesday, April 22nd.

How will you be spending Earth Day?

Care2 Reaches 25 Million Members

Image Source: oneloveorigami.blogspot.ca

Today I became a member of Care2.com and helped them reach 25 million members!

Care2 is "the largest online community for healthy and green living, human rights and animal welfare."

Its free to join, and as a member you earn Butterfly Rewards for commenting on articles, starting and signing petitions, sending free e-cards and more. 

Butterfly Rewards can be redeemed to make a difference in the world by protecting the rainforest, providing food, water, and education for children, protecting wild, shelter and farm animals, and even helping farmers grow food crops and organic cotton!

Here are just a few links to recent articles you yogis and yoginis may find interesting:

The New and Improved Vegetarian and Vegan Food Pyramid

Gender Discrimination and Child Mortality in India

Ayurveda: Oil Pulling Heals Gums and Whitens Teeth Naturally

4 Ways Mindfulness Transforms Your Life

Thanks to Care2 for offering one more way to "Be the change you wish to see in the world." 

Padmanadi Vegetarian Restaurant

Oooooh I just came back from dinner at the most wonderful place, Padmanadi Vegetarian Restaurant!

Family run and beautifully decorated, the food is a delicious mix of Thai, Indonesian and Indian cuisine.  Totally vegan and totally amazing!

We shared coconut rice and two dishes, Lemon "Ribs" and "Chicken" Curry followed by dessert and steamed soy milk chai... mmm... what a treat!

I hope you're having a great long weekend enjoying the beautiful summer weather and the fabulous lightning shows.  See you at yoga tomorrow!

Snow Day Cupcakes

A BRUTAL spring storm has me house-bound today. 

Well, except for tons of shovelling that is... 

I've already done two rounds of cement-heavy-snow removal on the driveway, walkways and deck and saw that when things clear up I'll have some broken tree removal too. 

Thankfully, nothing on the roof!

Om Trayambakam to everyone on the road today, and to all the emergency service workers out there looking after everyone!

Can you spot the robin?

Before I venture out for round three,  it's time for a break. 

All these wintery workouts call for cupcakes!

Since I can't actually invite you over to share them, here's the recipe:



Mini Vegan Chocolate Cake for my Mom's birthday



Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cups of flour
1 cup of sugar
3 Tablespoons of cocoa powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt. I'm using Pink Himalayan Salt for added sattva ;-)

Mix together the dry ingredients.

Ha ha ha - ignore the sloppy icing!

In another bowl combine:

6 Tbsps of vegetable oil
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 cup of water

Add the wet ingredients to the dry, mix with a fork.  Spoon into a muffin tin.

Bake at 350 F for 18-22 minutes. 

Makes one dozen.

Enjoy!!