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In the continuing saga of the Starfire Retreat, Katherine O’Connor gets help from her friend, Morgan, as she prepares for the busy 4th of July weekend at the Starfire Retreat. Together they learn that the danger she feared from Plankerton Oil is even more real than she had initially suspected. The threat against the Starfire becomes tangible in a way that no one could have imagined, and Katherine and Morgan both make a decision to rise to the challenge.
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Banana bread is always a treat, but now with gluten-free flour, sea salt, organic eggs, raw sugar, coconut oil, and walnuts it can be a high-energy “pick-me-up” snack for young and old alike. Kira and Bill Van Ittersum talked about this bread in their Gluten-Free Baking podcast a few weeks ago and the response has been fantastic. Listeners wanted the whole recipe, so here it is.
Bill and Kira serve this fresh banana bread to their grandkids for an after school snack and they love it! Spread a little coconut oil-butter spread (50-50 mix) on it and they practically inhale it. With granola bars, there is always some left over—not with this delicious, moist banana energy bread. Try Kira’s recipe, you’ll be happy you did!
Links:
Find Namaste Foods and their delicious recipes here: http://www.namastefoods.com/products/cgi-bin/products.cgi?Function=show&Id=13
Banana Energy Bread – Kira Style
2 cups Namaste Foods Gluten Free Perfect Flour Blend
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1 cup raw sugar
2 large organic eggs
4 medium, over-ripe bananas, mashed
1 tsp. gluten-free vanilla
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9×5 loaf pan with coconut oil.
In a medium size bowl sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl mix together the coconut oil and sugars. Add the eggs, mashed bananas and the vanilla. (Please Note: Kira always sets the eggs in a dish filled with warm water for several minutes before breaking them out of their shells because coconut oil tends to congeal and harden when exposed to cold temperatures.) Stir all of the wet ingredients together. Then fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients along with the walnuts (if using them).
Pour the batter into the 9×5 loaf pan and bake for approximately 65 -75 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. In my oven, 65 minutes is the perfect amount of time. Transfer the loaf to a wire heating rack and cool before serving.
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How do you communicate with heart? Can it be taught, or does it have to be caught? Kira and Bill Van Ittersum believe that if you follow a few simple tips, you will improve your communication style and your personal happiness will automatically grow in the process.
Of course, even when we have the best intentions and we’re trying our hardest, communication can fail. Bill and Kira have some funny stories to share that describe what happens when communication goes wrong.
Links:
Greek (?) video with English subtitles.
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“I saw the most beautiful smile today, from the outside in, while looking in a mirror. And I am happier from the inside out.” http://www.thankthenow.com/happiness-smiling-smiles-self-love/
“There is perhaps nothing more powerful in beginning a conversation, or in overcoming an interpersonal challenge, than a smile—a warm, genuine, sincere smile that emanates from your heart, from the inside out.” ‒Bob Burg, author and speaker, http://www.burg.com/2011/04/from-the-inside-out/
Listen in as Kira and Bill Van Ittersum discuss the practice of “Smiling from the Inside Out!” They challenge you to make this a daily practice in your own life. You’ll thank yourself for it!
Links:
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What is it about meditation that inspires some people to make it a daily practice? What are they enjoying that most of society is missing out on? In this podcast, Kira and Bill Van Ittersum share personal stories and real-life experiences from several people about their success with meditation. They leave the “how,” and “what, when, and where” of meditation for you to research on your own and instead focus on the “who” and “why.”
From Fleur Carter’s story, “The benefits of meditation are wide and varied; from reduction in stress, to increased levels of concentration and focus, to the ability to deal with destructive emotions. The list is endless.” Bill and Kira invite you to try meditation for yourself and wish you, “Good practice!”
Links:
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Kira and Bill Van Ittersum believe that kids and music go together like hot dogs and buns. When the Van Ittersum grandkids start acting up and acting out, Grandma and Papa steer them toward their favorite tunes; because they know that in most cases, music helps control the mood. Music will tame a child like magic!
Music is virtually everywhere: on CD’s, DVD’s, and on the internet via YouTube and other sites. Kira and Bill play their grand kids favorite sing-a-long tunes in the car and they encourage the kids to dance and act out scenes from their favorite musicals at home. Every summer, they take the grand kids out to “Music in the Park” productions, where they can dance and sing and even take the stage from time to time.
Kira and Bill share some of the kids’ favorite artists and DVD musical shows in this podcast, too. These are the ones who know how to get down on the kids’ level. The kids are wiggling and jumping, and sliding and stomping, and singing silly songs in front of the TV too! So, you say your kids are bored? Turn on the jams and get down with the youngins, movin’ and groovin’, and have fun creating some over-the-top musical drama. Your kids will thank you for it!
Links:
1. Guy Louis’ Web Site: www.guylouis.com
2. Russian FLASH MOB wedding theme. “Puttin’ On the Ritz” – background song