I love the benefits of living an active lifestyle.  I am not a competitive person, but I find an incredible amount of joy in finding my edge. Most of the time. But, it's not always easy to stay motivated.

There have been seasons, where training for an event was just what I needed. There have also been seasons when training for an event or setting too many expectations and goals became more stressful then helpful.

The list of benefits to starting your day with a warm cup of lemon water is quite extensive. Here are just a few to make heating up some water and slicing a lemon worth your effort.

I am a big fan of coffee and all recipes that include pumpkin. This recipe is refined sugar-free, and full of pumpkin spice goodness.

Serves one large mug, or two small cups.

-1/2 cup almond coconut milk-3 tablespoons canned pumpkin-1 tablespoon organic, salted butter-2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup-1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice-1 cup strong brewed coffee-1 dash nutmeg-3 tablespoons frothy almond, coconut milk (optional)

Combine and heat (in a small saucepan) milk, pumpkin, butter, maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice. Pour into a blender and blend 10 seconds. (Caution: hot liquids make my blender lid want to pop off.  I always hold my lid down while blending.)

Pour blended mixture into your mug (or cups). Add the coffee. Top with the frothy coconut almond milk. Sprinkle a bit of nutmeg to the top.

A quick gluten free recipe for muffins.

Dark Chocolate Banana Muffinsdry mixture -1 c brown rice flour -1 c tapioca flour -1/2 c coconut sugar -1 tsp. baking soda -1/4 tsp baking powder -1/4 tsp. sea salt -1/4 tsp. nutmeg -1 heaping tsp. pumpkin pie spice -dash cardamon wet mixture  -1/2 c. pure maple syrup -2 eggs -1/2 coconut oil, melted -4 medium over ripened bananas-4 oz. dark chocolate, choppedPreheat oven to 350˚ F.  In two mixing bowls, whisk the dry ingredients, whisk the wet ingredients. Blend together and add chocolate. Please do not over-stir.  Scoop into greased muffin tins (I used coconut oil) for 20 minutes. Muffins are ready when the muffin is springy to the touch. Enjoy!

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