Evolve With Mary: 2014

Hi Friends,

Sorry I've been MIA for a day or two, I'm in Miami hanging out with good friends, making memories while bringing in the new year with style.

I'm ready to tackle 2015 with a vengeance by focusing on my business more then ever.

What's you New Years resolution??? I would love to know.

Alrighty friends, enjoy the pics... I'm going to bed.

Beautiful welcome sign in Miami airport

Fun in the sun

Silly silly silly girl

Love this piece of art... It speaks to me

Trying to keep it healthy in South Beach

Peace & Love,

Mary

Today's challenges is your own personal choice. I want you to pick your Evolve with Mary favorite challenges, that I've featured over the last 12 months, and complete them. Have fun with it and challenge yourself.

Fitness Challenge

I challenge you complete your favorite exercise, whatever it maybe, everyday over the next days

Challenge Synopsis
Do your favorite exercise everyday over the next 7 days

Why Why Why

With New Years around the corner I didn't want to give you guys anything new
What's better than picking your own challenge???

Materials

Just yourself

Directions

Complete your favorite exercise everyday this week

Try to stay in the range of 8-12 reps 3-4 sets

My favorite exercise was featured on 8/4/14
Standing Running Mans

I introduced them to all of you while vacationing in Costa Rica

Not only do they challenge my balance they also work my upper and lower body

I'm usually shaking by the end of my first set

Place all weight on the right side of your body. Lift your right leg hip height raising your left hand to an 90 degree angle pointed up, right hand in a 90 degree angle pointed down.

**This is a advanced exercise! hold on to something sturdy when trying this

My Take

I love this exercise for many many reasons. There are no suddent movements that can be hard on tendons and joints, it challenges your balance and endurance. Last and certainly not least this exercise tones your lower body which is a must for any routine I complete.

Nutrition Challenge

I challenge you to pick your favorite nutrition challenge and complete it this week

Challenge Synopsis

Complete your favorite nutrition challenge over the next 7 days

Why Why Why

With New Years around the corner I didn't want to give you guys anything new
What's better than picking your own challenge

Materials

Whatever the challenge requires

Directions

My favorite nutrition was feature on 2/24/14

The drink more water challenge
at least 9-10 glasses everyday this week

My Take
Water is a super drink in my book. When I drink the recommended amount of water my skin glows, I feel fuller longer and better about myself. This week I'm going to try to drink at least 9 glasses a day. Give me luck, I think I'm going to need it.

Self Improvement Challenge

I challenge you to pick your favorite self improvement challenge and complete it this week

Challenge Synopsis

Complete your favorite Self-Improvement challenge over the next 7 days

Why Why Why

With New Years around the corner I didn't want to give you guys anything new
What's better than picking your own challenge

Materials

Just yourself

Directions

My favorite self-improvement challenge this year was feature on 8/25/14
The laughing challenge

I challenge you to laugh, play, and be more light hearted for the next 7 days 👻Life can be boring and tedious sometimes
👻Adding pleasurable, exciting, and enjoyable activities to your life makes you feel more accomplished and loved
👻The more you laugh the better you feel
👻Laughter is good for the soul
👻Laughter is an antidote to all your hard work

My Take

The way to my heart is through laughter. If you make me laugh I will can and will hold my attention. I'm also pretty silly and funny myself. There nothing better then a good chuckle after a long day.

That's all I have for you guys today!

Peace & Love,

Mary

Hi Friends

I spent the day looking for one last present, I wasn't successful in my search so it's a good thing that I have another day. No matter how hard I try or how many lists I make I always end up searching for the perfect gift on Christmas eve. Oh well, it is what it is, I really hope I can figure it out.

I spent a lot of time making DIY gifts this year and I've shared most of the recipes with all of you. Today is the last recipe I'm sharing and it my favorite one.

I made S'more kits with homemade marshmallows and graham crackers. I know it sounds like a lot of work but it really wasn't that bad at all.

This years my marshmallows turned out light and fluffy, 1000% better then last year. I'm still mastering the graham cracker recipe, practice makes perfect and they just aren't perfect yet.

Both recipes found at www.americastestkitchen.com

1-1/2 cups graham flour

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled
5 tablespoons water
5 tablespoons molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Parchment paper

Adjust oven rack to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 375 degrees

Process graham flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in food processor until combined

I used a mixer and it worked just fine

Add butter and process until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal

Add water, molasses and vanilla and process until dough comes together

Divide dough into quarters, working with 1 piece of dough at a time (keeping remaining pieces covered with plastic wrap) roll out dough between into 11 by 8-inch rectangle, 1/8 inch thick

none of my dough came out in a perfect rectangle so don't worry about being perfect

Bake crackers until golden brown and edges are firm, about 15 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking

Once cooked carefully use cookie cutter to cut crackers

Slide baked crackers onto wire rack and let cool completely

Repeat with remaining pieces dough

Transfer cooled cracker to cutting board

Graham crackers can be stored at room temperature in airtight container for up to 2 weeks

Makes 48 crackers

2/3-cup confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)

1/3 cup cornstarch

1 cup cold water

2-1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin

2/3 cup light corn syrup

2 cups granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

vegetable spray

food thermometer

foil

Spray cookie sheet with vegetable oil spray

Pour 1/2 cup cold water into bowl of stand mixer, fitted with whisk. Sprinkle gelatin over water. Let stand until gelatin becomes very firm, about 15 minutes

Combine corn syrup and remaining 1/2 cup of cold water in medium saucepan

Pour granulated sugar and salt into center of saucepan (do not let sugar hit pan sides) bring to boil over medium-high heat, and cook gently swirling saucepan until sugar has dissolved completely and mixture registers 240 degrees, 6 to 8 minutes

Turn mixer speed to low and carefully pour hot syrup into gelatin mixture, avoiding whisk and bowl

Gradually increase speed to high and while until mixture is very thick and stiff, 10-12 minutes, scraping down bowl as needed. Add vanilla and mix until incorporated about 15 seconds

Working very very very quickly

scrap mixture evenly into prepared pan using greased rubber spatula, smoothing top

Cover and let sit overnight or until firm at room temperature until firm

Lightly dust cutting board with 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar mixture and lightly coat chefs knife with oil spray.

Turn marshmallow slab out onto cutting board Sift 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar mixer over slab

Cut into 1-inch-wide strips and then cut crosswise into 1-inch squares.

Working with 3 or 4 marshmallows at a time, toss marshmallows in bowl with remaining confectioners sugar mixture, then toss in strainer to remove excess powder

Marshmallows can be stored at room temp in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Makes about 90 marshmallows

That's all I have for you guys today,

Peace & Love,

Mary

Hi Friends,

I'm in Washington DC with my family having a wonderful time. It's been raining all day and the forecast calls for snow on Christmas Day, I'm pretty excited about that. I can't wait to give everyone their presents, I feel like an elf.

I shipped 15 gifts off last Thursday. I packaged up all of my DIY goodies, gathered everyones address and headed to Fedex. I got my favorite employee who spent the next hour and a half double checking each address and making sure he got me the best rate possible. I've been getting calls and texts of appreciation all day. I'm so happy people appreciate the my handmade gifts, it warms my little crafty heart.

Today I'm sharing my almond brittle recipe. I've never been a fan of any kind of brittle. The fact that it's pure sugar freaks me out plus it always seems to get stuck in my teeth. The flavor and texture of this particular brittle is it's saving grace.

I gave most of the brittle away in fears that I would eat every last shard.

The recipe is very simple, easy enough for a beginner to complete then devour.

Recipe adapted from www.food52.com

food/candy Thermometer

1-1/2 cups roasted almonds

1 cup cane sugar

2 tbsp unsalted butter or Earth

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup corn syrup

Garnish with sea salt or cayenne pepper

Butter a cookie sheet and set aside

Place nuts, sugar, syrup in a heavy sauce pan over medium-low heat

Stir mixture making sure the sugar doesn't burn, use thermometer and wait until mixture is 300 F - it should take about 8-10 minutes

mixture will turn from sugar to liquid to a thick bubbly liquid

Once mixture reaches 300F quickly remove from stove add butter & baking soda

*add cayenne pepper if you want a spicy brittle

Pour mixture onto baking sheet

Garnish with sea salt and let cool

Use knife and mallet or meat hammer

That's all today folks!

Peace & love,

Mary

Fitness Challenge

Elevate your squats

Challenge Synopsis

I challenge you to complete Squat Holds with Arm Lifts 12 reps, 4 sets, everyday this week

Why Why Why

Squat holds is an isometric exercise
Adding arm lifts to squat holds challenging balance, upper body, lower body, core and that booty
This exercise improves flexibility, strength, mobility and balance while building tendon and ligament strength

Material

Just yourself

Directions

Squat Holds with Arm Lifts

Complete 12 reps, 4 sets, everyday this week

Start with feet slightly wider than hip width apart

Keeping chest high, eyes straight forward

Move hips back and down into a comfortable but challenging squat

*this exercise is advanced, if too advanced for you complete basic Squat holds or wall sits

Squat down until hips and knees make a 90 degree angle, or wherever comfortable yet challenging

If you feel any pain in your knees soften your stance

Once in squat hold this position

Extend hands straight out in front of you

Keeping chest up extend right hand down and touch outside of right foot, return hand to starting position

Extend left hand down and touch outside of left foot, return hand to starting position

Extend both arms down, up and down again

Stand up

That’s one rep

*holding squat above a 90 degree angle will make this exercise easier

**if this exercise is too advanced for you start with wall sits

My Take

I’m in the air heading to DC right now, then it’s off to Miami & Delray New Years and a wedding. I going cardio crazy over the next 7 days along with multiple planks and abdominal exercises. These squat holds with arm lifts will help lift and shape my tootie fruity. Can’t wait to share the pics, I hope I’m able to pull off my bikinis because I didn’t bring a one piece.

Nutrition Challenge

Challenge Synopsis

I challenge to exercise a little restraint around all of yummy Holiday goodies

Why Why Why

It’s the holiday season and it’s easy to get off track
Exercising some restraint is hard but very rewarding both physically and mentally
Because I said so!

Materials

Some serious will power

Directions

Try exercising some restraint around your favorite calorie rich foods for the next 7 days

My Take

This challenge is a little different from all of my other ones. Why you ask... Because it’s the holiday season silly. Everyone has there favorite Holiday treat, I love sweet potato pies. No matter what you enjoy, sweet or savory, try exercising a little self control over the next 7 days. Make sure to indulge when needed, try keeping yourself to one cookie or one slice of ham. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Self-Improvement Challenge

Challenge Synopsis

I challenge you to call or visit a friend, family member, anyone you have lost touch with over the next 7 days
NO TEXTING ALLOWED

Why Why Why

Texting is one of the main sources of communication and it can be very impersonal
By reaching out and actually having a conversation in person or over the phone you connect with that person on a deeper level
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… a surprise call or visit from you can brighten somebodies day

Materials

Just yourself

Directions

Make sure to call or visit someone special to you over the next 7 days

My Take

I haven’t talked to my former BFF in a couple of months. She did something that pissed me off so I created some distance between us, which of course effected the relationship. Even though I was disappointed in her actions I plan on calling her within the next 7 days. I’m hoping a simple phone conversation can rekindle a friendship.

That’s all I have for you guys today!

Peace & Love,

Mary

Happy Friday!

Today has been a strange day, my stomach is acting funny and I am extremely tired for no reason at all. Well maybe there is a reason, the boyfriend and I staid up until 3am, I promptly got up at 8:30am, had a killer workout and started the daunting task of cleaning my house. I think that's the source of my tummy ache and bad attitude. Oh well, this too shall pass.

I got an awesome response to the detox tea and hot chocolate mix which warms my little crafty heart.

Next project....

Sugar Scrubs... All day all night

This year I made 3 different kinds of sugar scrubs

1 cup White sugar

1 cup Brown sugar

3 tbsp Nutmeg

3 tbsp All spice

3 tbsp Cinnamon

3 tbsp Ginger

1/2 melted Coconut oil

*Makes 4-5 1/2 pint mason jars

Combine ingredients with hands

I suggest using gloves to protect your manicure

Add more coconut oil if needed

Scrub should have a wet sand constancy

*add more sugar if too wet

*add more coconut oil if too dry

2 cups White sugar

1 tbsp Red food coloring

2 tbsp Vitamin E oil

1/2 melted Coconut oil

2 tbsp Pepper essential oil

*Makes 4-5 1/2 pint mason jars

Combine ingredients with hands

I suggest using gloves to protect your manicure

Add more coconut oil if needed

Scrub should have a wet sand constancy

*add more sugar if too wet

*add more coconut oil if too dry

2 cups White sugar

2 tbsp Vitamin E oil

1/2 cup melted Coconut oil

1-2 tbsp Almond essential oil

*Makes 4-5 1/2 pint mason jars

Combine ingredients with hands

I suggest using gloves to protect your manicure

Add more coconut oil if needed

Scrub should have a wet sand constancy

*add more sugar if too wet

*add more coconut oil if too dry

That's all today folks!!

Peace & love,

Mary

Hi Friends!

I'm back in action and ready to attack. I successfully put together over 300 DIY Christmas presents. It was a huge undertaking but I pushed through and I'm thrilled with the outcome. Now I have the daunting task of handwriting holiday cards and shipping everything off by Friday. If I wasn't organized I wouldn't have been able to pull this off. Thank God for lists and my math skills, I did more math equations this week then I've done in years.

I made:

60 Mason Jar Cookies for Santa mix

60 Mason jar Hot Chocolate mix with homemade marshmallows

60 s'more kits with homemade graham crackers and marshmallows

60 mason jar herbal detox tea

60 peppermint, gingerbread, and almond sugar scrubs

30 bags of homemade almond brittle

I can't believe I actually pulled everything off.

Today I'm sharing the recipes to my detox tea and Hot Chocolate mix

Both of these projects were made in mason jars for easy assembly. Make sure to layer your ingredients, it looks super cool when your done.

This herb tea is actually tasty, with a little honey

I purchased all of my herbs from local Good Earth Store, you should be able to find everything at your local bulk herb store.

I also included 4 empty tea bags just to make it easier on peps

Place 2 tablespoon of each herb in a pint sized mason jar

Dandelion Root

Used for loss of appetite, upset stomach, intestinal gas, gallstones, joint pain, muscle aches, eczema, bruises, increase urine production, laxative, skin toner, blood tonic, and digestive tonic
Likely safe for most people when used in amounts commonly found in food
Use caution if pregnant and or breast feeding

Burdock Root

Used to increase urine flow, kill germs, reduce fever, purify blood, treats colds, cancer, anorexia, nervosa, gastrointestinal complaints, joint pain, gout, bladder infections, complications of syphilis, acne, psoriasis, high blood pressure, hardening of arteries, liver disease and increased sex drive
Safely used as a food in Asia
Use caution if pregnant and or breast feeding

Orange Peel

Used to increase appetite, reduce phlegm, treats colds, coughs, intestinal gas, acid indigestion, and cancerous breast sores. Also used in treating kidney stones, high cholesterol, and preventing high blood pressure, prostate cancer, and stroke.
Safe for most adults
Use caution if pregnant and or breast feeding

Hibiscus Flower

Used to treat loss of appetite, colds, heart, and nerve diseases, upper respiratory tract pain and swelling, fluid retention, stomach irritation, and disorders of circulation; for dissolving phlegm, as a gentle laxative, and as a diuretic to increase urine output
Safe for most people, possible side effects are not known
Unsafe to take during pregnancy and breast feeding

Rose Hips

Used to prevent or treat colds, flu, and vitamin C deficiencies, stomach disorders, diarrhea, constipation, gallstones, gallbladder, ailments, lower urinary tract and kidney disorders, fluid retention, gout, back and leg pain, diabetes, high cholesterol, weight loss, high blood pressure, chest ailments, fever, increasing immune function during exhaustion, increase blood flow to the limbs, increasing urine flow and quenching thirst

Milk Thistle Seed

Used for liver disorders, loss of appetite, heartburn, gallbladder complaints, diabetes, hangover, diseases of the spleen, prostate cancer, malaria, depression, uterine complaints, increasing breast milk flow, allergy symptoms, and starting menstrual flow
Milk thistle is likely safe for most adults, sometimes causes a laxative effect, less common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, intestinal gas, bloating, fullness or pain, and loss of appetite. Avoid use if pregnant and or breast feeding

Cinnamon Stick

For taste