Welcome to my Hazy Meadow

The online store that I will be selling my crochet goods and apparel on is coming along very nicely. I will be listing scarves, hats, and a few other things that I have made. Here is a preview of the Warm and Cozy, handmade, Infinity Scarves that I will be for sale starting at $35. I used a very nice and soft chunky yarn to make this and they will be coming in different colors. Right now in inventory I have one cream infinity and one rouge color one. I also have a burgundy, pom pom skully for sale.

  This is the simplest chicken potpie recipe ever! I made this for my roommates and they loved it. It is quick even very easy. Ingredients   Pack of biscuits  Precooked Chicken Shredded, about 2 cups (more if you want more meat) Pack of frozen mixed veggies One can of Cream of mushroom soup Salt,Pepper Butter Muffin Pan Shredded Cheese Directions Preheat oven according to biscuit instructions Butter the inside of the muffin pan In a large mixing bowl, mix the chicken, veggies, seasoning, and soup Dont make the soup too watery by adding a whole can of water. Use about a forth of the can and mix well Open the biscuits and flatten them out (If you don't have a rolling pin, the side of a glass will do) Place the biscuit in the muffin pan so it makes a cup shape and comes over the top a little Using a tablespoon, Scoop your chicken mix into the center of the biscuit cups and close the biscuit up with the remainder of the dough that was coming ove

  I found this really nice winter cap pattern that is simple and works up fairly quick. I am making a black one and I will be posting the final product

This is the one that I use. The powder can be added to milk or you could even add a little to coffee and make it a mocha. Whey protein is a natural and healthy way of bring protein to your diet. It has many health benefits including bone health, immune support, weight management and sports health. When bought from the store it comes from cow's  milk but it is also naturally found in breast milk. It is an awesome, natural protein (made from isolated proteins from cow's milk) that is rich with amino acids which are essential for good health and muscle building. Whey protein is proven to have the highest absorption levels in comparison to all other proteins.  Women who consume whey protein while working out will not get bulky muscles like men, but will get an overall toned look. It does not have the risks associated with other supplements because it is a food. Of course too much of anything is never good for you.  Extreme high use of whey protein can overload the liver

Remove a splinter easily by applying a paste of baking soda and water, then waiting several minutes for the splinter to pop out of the skin. I found this awesome info on this site 

Ive always wondered how people successfully did headstands without getting a headache or falling over backwards. Ive been able to do a headstand on and off for a few months now, but never could I hold the pose longer than 40 seconds. However, after doing day 21 of the yoga challenge we just did, I was able to get into the pose and stay there for a while. She showed us the proper way to ease into it and it really helped. After a few searches for headstand poses I began to wonder. Why do so many people crave to do headstands and are there any benefits to doing them? I have compiled here a list of the benefits of doing headstands. This information is from multiple sites that are sited at the bottom of the post.    Improves bloodflow in brain Helps to increase the ability to focus Shoulders and arms Helps you to adapt to stress Aids in the improvement of digestion Builds  a strong core

I now follow Kino yoga on youtube. She is very flexible almost like a contortionist.  Realistically speaking I do not see myself making it to that level before I get 100 years old. But I will be learning from her videos and attempting some of the poses. Here is a very do-able yoga poses that help strengthen the core.

  I could not just walk past these cute little things and not grab a few. They are tiny little apples. I am not sure what kind they are. I found them on the ground under the tree during my walk to work Wednesday. If anyone knows what they are, comment and let me know. I'd love some feedback.

So yesterday afternoon I decided to do the workout by +ZuzkaLight that I just recently posted. I did it  for an hour then did about 15 minutes of yoga afterwards. I woke this morning so sore OMG.  I feel like i've been hit by a car. No pain no gain right? However, this amount of soreness has my body feeling like today wasn't an off day. lol. First mistake was not stretching before working out. The second possible mistake was not drinking some sort of shake that was going to bring some sort restoration to my muscles or something. I have some Whey powder and some Creatine powder in my pantry. I am going to try one of those as my post workout snack tomorrow and I will be sure to let you guys know how it is, what kind it is and how to use it. If anyone has any advice on how to soothe sore muscles please comment with how.

Its that time of year again! Cozy sweaters, cute boots, fireplaces, scarves, cooler temperatures, and DRY SKIN! The cold, dry air just chaps your right on up. That is why weatherizing your skin is crucial at the beginning of the season along with routine maintenance. I searched the web high and low for the best information that  I could find on this subject. Here I have compiled a list of ways to aid in the weatherizing process.   Stay fully hydrated with water Use warm water instead of hot water to trap moisture in the face when washing it Try using a PH balanced facial wash Gently exfoliate your face ( I do it weekly) Use a moisturizer Try to maintain a low-stress lifestyle. When you feel good, you look good Try finding a natural, oil based chap stick. Maybe one that has a little cocoa or shea butter (tip to get ride of pesky dry lips: exfoliate them by brushing lips with a soft tooth brush and warm water, then apply chap stick.) Moisturize with a cream while still damp f

DID YOU KNOW THAT GINGER IS FROM THE SAME PLANT FAMILY AS TURMERIC! They both have amazing health benefits.    Source of reference

Source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/497647827548523434/

Today's porch garden harvest!! Arugula, Ukrainian Purple Tomatoes, Baby Bell Peppers, A few ghost peppers, Cheyennes, horn peppers, and a few jalapenos. 

Yesterdays Ghost pepper harvest from my garden. One of the worlds hottest peppers.

Purple Cow Peas are black eyed peas with purple pods

  I got the seed for this avocado out of an organic avocado from my local grocery store. I started it by sticking 4 toothpicks into the widest parts of the pit so that it can be suspended over a glass of distilled water, pointy side up. Keep the fat bottom submerged and the top with fresh air. Change water every other day. Waited patiently until it sprouted open at the bottom and the top (usually about 3-6 weeks). Pinch off the first two leaves, more will grow back in about 2 weeks along with more roots.  Then I placed it in an organic seed starting soil mix until it grew leaves. After that I transplanted it into this pot with organic vegetable garden soil that I purchased from my local garden center. I found more info for you guys to grow your own on this site . The second one is peppermint. I bought this as a baby 1 year ago from my local nursery and kept it up in a pot with organic soil.

 Just a little inspiration for your next grilled bratwurst meal. Hot Cayenne Peppers!!! Not only are they awesome because of the kick their spice gives your food. They have plenty of health benefits. here are a few that I found on this site . Boosting energy and stamina. Cleansing and detoxification. Improvement of circulation. Strengthens the heart. Relief of sinus and chest congestion. Treatment of ulcers in the stomach. Reduce inflammation. Pain relief. Relief of leg cramps. Rich in calcium and potassium. Make sure that you remove the seeds. They aren't good for you

HERE IS THE FINAL DAY!!!! Thank you very much for participating in my challenge.

Tomorrow is the last day of the challenge!!!! How do you all feel? Honestly I feel a difference in my ability to get into some poses. Warrior used to be a pain in the ass but, now I can do it without a struggle.(I do still feel the burn) Anyway in this video we will be doing yoga for better sleep

We'll be testing our balance in this one. +Erin Motz will be teaching us how to do dancer poses. We'll be stretching out our quads and hamstrings.

You know that strip of tissue that goes down from your hip to your knee. That's your IT band. That is our target are for this video. The IT bands get tight sometimes if  you do a lot of sitting, running or just don't exercise much.

Sitting in a cubical all day is no fun for your joints. Most of us spend our days sitting down at work, home, school, or wherever. Take this time to workout that body and get your blood flowing.

In this video she shows us a non-stop yoga flow that consists of traditional sun salutations. She take it easy on us in this one.

In this video she shows us her favorite stretches for when she first wakes up in the morning. This routine gets you going without breaking a sweat. 

If you like a little challenge, here is something for you. Zuzka Light has a few 3 minute yoga challenges. This is one of them. It is challenging and gets your blood flowing. Its only 3 minutes long so you cant use the excuse that you don't have time to work out.

Today she shows us how to relieve tension in our upper back and neck. This routine is sure to refresh your upper body and relieve some of that tightness in your neck.

This meal is perfect for people who have a love for spicy. The sauce was hot enough to make you sweat but not to the point that your mouth is on fire without a glass of milk. It definitely is not mild so if you cant handle heat this is not the meal for you.  The tomato sauce has the perfect amount of spice thanks to the Trinidad Scorpion Pepper that I let simmer in it 3 minutes (CAUTION: These peppers are extremely hot, use with care).  I used 4 types of peppers in the chicken, one being the newly harvested Lemon Drop Pepper.  I was excited to use that particular pepper because it is a rare strain. It definitely is not something that you will find in your local market. All of the peppers used in this recipe are from my home garden.    Ingredients 5 Chicken Breast Cutlets 1 Fresh Jalapeno, 1 Cow Horn Pepper, 2 Baby Bell Peppers, 2 Cayenne Peppers, Ghost Pepper, Trinidad Scorpion Pepper,and 1 Lemon Drop Pepper ( I know that some of these peppers are going to be hard to find so

Here is a quick 3 minute yoga challenge. This is the Flying Burpees Yoga Challenge that I found on www.zuzkalight.com. I completely works out the core and helps get your nice and toned. Take just 3 minutes out of your day and challenge yourself. 

Today we are doing a restorative yoga flow! Use a towel if you don't have a yoga strap for this routine. She will be showing us how to create length is the whole body through stretching out the legs and lower back.

This is a recipe that my grandmother taught me. It is very simple and very delicious. The meal doesn't cost a lot to make therefore, it is definitely a full, home-cooked meal that you can make on a budget. The beef, tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce create an amazingly robust and flavorful au jus. I use the left over sauce for the pasta I usually make the following day for lunch. This meal feeds 2-3, but of course, all you have to do is double the amount of ingredients when you need to make more. I would suggest that you use a fairly wide pot to cook this because it is going to fill up a skillet as soon as you add the tomatoes. For those of you who want to use fresh tomatoes, you will need to dice up enough tomatoes to equal the same amount as two standard sized canned tomatoes.    Ingredients: 2 regular size cans of Diced Tomatoes Rice Broccoli Spears 1lb of ground beef Worcestershire sauce Oregano Salt & Pepper Garlic Powder   Directions:  Boil water f

I was referred to www.zuzkalight.com from a friend. They suggested I check her out when I told them that I am looking for a exercise routine for women that builds muscle and isn't for losing weight. Her body is so toned and she is in great shape. Some of the areas I want to work on are my arms and legs. I want to gain mass and since gaining weight from eating more food doesn't seem to be working, maybe it will with exercise to go along with it. She has routines on youtube and they are routines that actually work. After this yoga challenge is over, I will be posting her 30 day challenge. By the end of it your arms, legs and abs will look amazing. 

Today we are doing headstands!!  Make sure that you listen to your body with this workout.

Today we are working on our shoulders. She will be giving us poses for core strength and shoulders that will help us tackle the headstands that she will be showing us tomorrow with confidence. Handstand Prep!!!

Todays practice works on twists!!! Twists help stimulate vital organs and improves spinal health. Twists are also awesome for toning the mid-section. Hope you guys enjoy. Morgan

  www.instagram.com/immorgancook also follow my twitter @immorgancook graphics by  +DCMENT  

Day 18 is a head-toe yoga flow. It goes at a nice pace and would make a great addition to your personal routine.

The other day I made my first hat of the season. Its a crochet fitted cap with a brim and a accent button. I will be selling these hats for $10 or you can get two for $15. If your in Atlanta the shipping is free. Outside will be standard shipping prices. This specific one is done in  Lime Green for my Aunt with Lymphoma Cancer.

This is is a full body flow that goes at a nice slow pace. It will have you feeling nice and limber when your done. It stretches you in all of the right places.

I made an amazing pasta dish and in my sauce I added these beauties. They are Ukrainian purple tomatoes! They are homegrown from my fathers garden. I sliced them like you would for a burger and then added them to the sauce once it was almost done. I will be posting the dish and its recipe later. It is very delicious

Ouch! is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of me trying to do a split. Thankfully in this routine I learned some great stretches that help me to ease into to yoga splits. Remember not to push yourself too far when attempting these. Listen to your body! When it says stop, please listen! I believe that you all will this.

This is an awesome yoga flow that will for sure have you feeling great! I plan to add this to my daily routine. The constant motion keeps the daily motions from getting boring and too repetitive. From doing these past 14 days of yoga I have learned new poses that I can add to the flow and therefore create my own. You all should try it. Things are always better when its customized to work with your body.

This routine will benefit runners very well. It will also benefit those with tight hamstrings.

Yesterdays wrist and hand exercises are definitely something that i needed to learn. Today is also very awesome!! Hip Opening and Lower Back!! Everyone needs a little bit of that. Comment your suggestions on how to make getting into difficult poses a little easier.

Ive noticed that after i finish with my routines my wrists seem to hurt or are a little sore. They also feel that way sometimes after I carry heavy things or after a bit of manual work. This video is just the thing to help if you have the same problem. It shows you things to do to strengthen your wrists and more other helpful maneuvers.

Here is day 10 of the yoga challenge. I hope that everyone has been enjoying and is beginning to feel improvement in their bodies. I know I am and I feel great when Im done with the routine for the day

 Here is Day 6. This is the one for me. Its that lower back stretch that a lot of people need. Im sure this will help you too. Namaste   

Today is the core sculpting routine. Enjoy guys!

Here is day 4. How did yesterday make you guys feel?. Leave comments and suggestions for new ideas if you have any.

Yesterdays Video really did make my back feel better.. I hope you all enjoyed it as well. The hardest part for me is the warrior pose. I hope that by the end of these 30 days I will be able to do it with no problem and start to prefect my back bend.  

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Here is day 2 of the 30 day yoga challenge. I sincerely apologize for not posting my pose of the day photo. Im having some camera issues. However, you can rest assure that I am definitely doing this yoga challenge and I hope you guys decide to continue to do them with me. Cant wait to see our progress over the next 28 days. XOXO Morgan

30-Day Yoga Challenge with Erin Motz

  I used to do yoga almost every day but due to my schedule I was unable to do it as much I would have liked to. Sooooo TODAY I am starting a 30 day Yoga Challenge.  Whats a better way to get back into the groove of doing yoga as a routine than a challenge. Not only does the challenge aid you in further enhancing your overall wellness, it encourages you to set a realist goal and stick to it. Making you rid yourself of those lazy excuses and commit to something. Join me on this journey!. Not only will it benefit your body; It will also benefit your mind.      

Hello out there, My name is Morgan as im sure you've read. I am 21 years old and in love with  life. Oh, and talk about a total foodie, I absolutely LOVE food. The main topics of discussion on this blog will be beauty, whole health, food and few proud moments in between. My plan is to post something awesome at least daily, in addition to a positive mantra that may be just what you need to read and remember to get you through a tough day. My goal in life is to inspire and make the world better. The only way to change the world is to make yourself the best you and  the change will spread. Sorta like an each one teach one thing. That's the method im taking and I hope you all will join me on the road to self improvement.  TTYL xoxo