Heeeeeyyyy Y'all!

Happy Monday Funday!!!

...<Sigh> What? Mondays aren't fun for you? ...Well guess what people...

"Happiness is something we decide on ahead of time,"

...So quit your moping and get the f*ck excited about it. Seriously. Debbie downers can exit the Daily Dubie building now. Ya hear me? I want to see a GIANT smile on all of your beautiful faces, because WE ALL have LOADS to be happy and thankful for. 

Comprende?

Kewl. Now, I'd like to waste a bit of your time before I give you the weekly scoop, by first addressing the fact that Yeezy yanked my style...

Exhibit A: My Nike Flyknits, first rocked in January.

Exhibit B: Oh look! Kanye now rocking the very same Flyknits...5 months after moi...<cough> <cough> Lucky for him, I find imitation the sincerest form of flattery.

...Now that I have that off my chest, it is time for y'all to take a jump into this week's...

Short & Sweet Sneak Peek!

*Dedicated to my precious, handsome hunk of a husband*

Becaaaaaauuuuuuuse....He's turning 30 (finally!) on Wednesday! So don't you forget to send him LOADS of birthday wishes! That's an ORDER!

We have ourselves a midgee week, because Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and I will be leaving for the beach with my Mama Podi Pie Thursday, so I cannot guarantee I'll be able to deliver the Double-D sauce. You know I don't like to make promises I can't keep. HOWEVER, there may be a post Thursday and Friday, so keep 'em peeled!

Monday: I get your asses excited about Monday, Memorial Day and my Honey's Birthday! Woot Woot!

Tuesday: Screw the usual food chatter, today I give you my TOPS list for the month of MAY! I'll share my favorite things to eat, see, do, and listen to. You won't want to miss it, Lovers!

Wednesday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY HONEY BUNNY LOVE OF MY LIFE! I usually don't do personal birthday shout outs, but this is an exception. In honor of the occasion I will share THE TOP 10 THINGS I LOVE MOST ABOUT HIM. I'll also share some classic throwback photos of his precious face. #HBIS30

Thursday: Will I post? I might! So stay tuned! Topic of discussion will be impromptu. 

Friday: ...Yes, I'm leaving you on the edge of your seats, but I also expect each and every one of you to be OUT OF THE OFFICE, AWAY and enjoying yourselves for the holiday! Have some tequila. Summer is HERE!!!!!

That's a WRAP, Homies.

MUUUAH!

 XOXO

HAPPY FRIDAY BEAUTIFUL COCONUTS!!!

Y'all!!!

...We're only one week shy of SUMMA SUMMATIME! It's nutty! You have no idea how vajazzled I am! My excitement is THROUGH THE ROOF. If you could only see me now - dancing by myself in my kitchen to my fresh, new playlist - it's quite the sight. <Sigh>

I think it's safe to assume that we all think Summer Is Awesome. What's not to love? It's hot, sunny, slow, relaxing...and I get to rollerblade the west side highway. So gangsta.

Mmm kay, short and sweet is the name of the game on Fridays, so let's take nose dive into not one, but TWO treats for y'all plow through...WITHOUT feeling guilty and bloated, of course.

Treat Numero Uno: Chocolate Cacao Pancakes

Gluten Free / Paleo Friendly / Flat Belly Friendly / Low Carb / Low Sugar / Gangsterlicious

RECIPE

1 Ripe Banana

1 T Coconut Flour

1 T Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1 T Ground Flaxseeds

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Egg

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

Pinch Sea Salt

1 T Raw Cacao Nibs

2 T Peanut Butter (use almond if you're die hard Paleo)

1 Cup Sliced Strawberries

DIRECTIONS

Heat 1/2 tsp Olive Oil in nonstick frying pan. Turn to medium-low heat. Add all ingredients to food processor, then blend until smooth. Makes one large or two smaller pancakes (two smaller are easier to flip). Sprinkle cacao nibs on pancake before flipping. Cook until golden-brown and cooked through (about 3-4 minutes on each pancake). Top with PB and berries!

...If that isn't a party in your mouth, I don't know what is...OH WAIT...Yeah I do...

Treat Numero Dos: Whipped Banana "Ice Cream" Sundae!

gluten free / vegan / gangster

RECIPE

2 Frozen Bananas

1/4 Cup Almond Milk

Pinch of Sea Salt

Pinch of Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Toppings: I love it with salted peanuts and chocolate chips! But you can put on ANYTHING that floats your boat.

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients (except toppings) in food processor until consistency is thick/whipped enough (like soft serve). Top with goodies of your choice! 

Guaranteed to knock your socks off!

THAT IS ALL, AMIGOS....

PEACE & NAMASTE.

Much Love

 XOXO

SLLLLLOOOOOWWWW the *BLEEP* down!

...Now, I'm not sure why I spared you the expletive, especially considering I've been swearing up a storm lately. Mama J does not approve, but it's all in good fun. 

Okay, okay...the slowing down thing. Doesn't sound so scary does it? Well, at least not to someone who isn't wound up as much as I am. I'm "wound up" in the sense that it's difficult for me to really mellow out. I have a LOT of energy, and in my eyeballs, there is always something productive that could be done...even fluffing pillows counts. I'm that person who crosses every "t" and dots every "i." It's how I roll. 

To put it simply, the thought of literally sitting on my bum all day, not getting anything accomplished, sounds about as fun as getting my vajajay Brazilian-ed without Advil = OUCH = NO FUN = NO BUENO = VERY UNHAPPY DUBIE.

But, I have come to the realization that too much of this hyper-productivity almost always backfires, because it's an unbalanced way of living. I work myself into a tizzy over minutiae, and end up being physically and mentally exhausted, then I become unmotivated and BURNED OUT. 

The conundrum I'm faced with currently is that since finishing my Pilates training program, I now have a lot more "free time," which for a normal person sounds awesome, but it gives me massive anxiety. I've been putting the pressure on to fill my schedule because I crave structure. I crave discipline. I LOVE to plan. I LOVE being busy, and I don't have that anymore. I'm in transition, and I've been resisting the change of pace, which has only brought me stress, exhaustion and crabbiness. 

But now...

Ahhhhhhhhhh

The clouds have parted. I now realize that I'd be a lunatic for believing that I would have my sh*t together in just one month's time. 

Hell-to-the-No!

I have to give this temporary, in-between, semi-productive period I'm currently experiencing a warm welcome. I need to let my life unfold a little bit more organically, because sometimes...

It takes doing nothing to do something.

Hallelujah!

I have to trust that good things will happen if I just chill the f*ck out.  I need to ride this wave...and maybe smoke a fat blunt while I'm at it. <lots of winking>.

Haaaaaa....imagine that...Oh my goodness.

...But anyway, you get the idea. 

It's been a scary thing...not fluffing pillows and all, but I see how necessary it is for me right now.  

My business/health/life coach suggested I ask myself these questions throughout the day, when faced with a daily task:

• Does this give me energy?
• Does this make me feel good?

If the answer is yes, then I do. If the answer is no, I dump it. 'Nuff said.

...As always, It's been awesome.

Peace Lovers

P.S.: Come Pilate-fy with me on Mondays at 2pm and Wednesdays at 9am! Sign up HERE!

Wuddup Homies?

This is happening right now...

...That's right. I might be a gangsta, but I sure do love myself some classical music. And this isn't something sporadic. Oh no. This happens on the reg...This happens DAILY- I'm talking a couple HOURS a day, everyday. Shheeaaaahh (meant to be pronounced "she-yeeeeah") I don't mess.

Classical jams clear and open my mind, give me razor sharp focus, and also help me namaste the mind + body + soul. In fact, 99% of the time I write my Double-D's, my man Mozart is part of the equation...

....What's up Mozart?...Say hi to your mother for me, okay?

Oki-freakin'-doke...Let's get after some...

Quesadillas, Daily Dubie Style

As you know, I don't mess around with my food, and I don't mess around with my Mexican. I keep the sh*t clean. It might be mind-boggling for many - to imagine good-tasting Mexican food that isn't swimming in oil and oozing with yellow cheese - but I make it happen. It can be done! ...and guess what, else?!? You don't feel like you need a rascal to get around afterward.

Let's just take a moment of silence to admire this beauty. <sigh> ....

<Pause>

<Pause>

Okay, no more funny business...but GOD! I LOVE Rascals! They make me very happy...as do Nissan Cubes, SmartCars and Sebring convertibles. 

Now, I'm going to keep this very simple, all you have to do is follow...

MY RULES!

*Follow them or feel like booty*

• Use REAL cheese ...That means NO, absolutely NO American cheese, or any other that's over-processed and filled with hydrogenated oils. READ YOUR LABELS, folks. Cheese should NOT have a laundry list of ingredients. Your best bet is to buy raw cheese. I happen to like using goat cheese in quesadillas because it's extremely flavorful, but also much lighter than your cheddar or jack cheeses.    

• Use LESS cheese....Cheese should be thought of as a flavor-enhancer. It should NEVER be the focal point of a dish (at least in my opinion). It should be used sparingly to add flavor. Quesadillas don't need that much cheese, especially if you load them with healthy beans and veggies!  

• Buy HIGH QUALITY CORN tortillas (or make your own. This is MASSIVELY important! As I mentioned last week, THIS is what you need to look for when buying tortillas.

• JAM them with VEGGIES...Go balls-to-the-wall with any and every veggie that strikes your fancy! I love using spinach, peppers, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, asparagus - you name it! Think heavy on the vegetables. They're high in volume (high water content = get full faster) and also packed with nutrients and fiber.

• FILL them with BEANS...Beans are the bomb. They add a whole other dimension to a dish, and are a must in my book. They are an excellent source of fiber and protein. This component is especially important for those who are vegetarian / vegan, because beans will be their primary source of Vitamin B12 / protein.

• Use FRESH herbs + salsa to enhance flavah-flave...because it ain't no thang without it! Not only do these boost the nutritional value of the dish, they - ding! ding! ding! - add FLAVAH! MMmMmmm yummy! Be generous with your portions, homies.

• Garnish them with HEALTHY FATS like...Avocado, almonds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds and sunflower seeds to add texture, crunch and extra nourishment to your dish!

BOOM! 

We're done, Suckas...

Eat some Quesadillas tonight...Daily Dubie style, of course.

Much Love

 XOXO

Veggie Goat Cheese Quesadilla

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

(2) 6" corn tortillas

1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese

1 cup vegetable(s) of choice. I like spinach, onions and mushrooms!

1/3 cup black beans

1 T Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

*Garnish with: Pico de gallo salsa*

DIRECTIONS

Sautee vegetables in 2 tsps olive oil until tender. Begin to heat 1 tortilla on stove. Add cheese, vegetables beans and seeds. Add a bit more cheese before layering tortilla on top. Use spatula to compress. Flip once bottom tortilla becomes crisp.

Mis Muñecas Bonitas Preciosas!

What the happs?!?!?

I'd like to give a warm welcome to our pal Tuesday - cooler than Monday... 

Why?

Well, for starters, we're that much closer to the weekend, which is reason enough. 

Ya feel me, Pumpkins?

Excellent. Glad we're on the same page...

MMmm kay...Who's ready to sink their teeth into some shiny red, plump, sweet & juicy cherries?

I am! I am! 

Holy heaven in my mouth. I could pop these suckers all day and all night, especially now that they're in season and tasting extra gangster.

Pay the f*ck attention as I rattle off...

5 Super Importante Reasons Why ALL of Us Could Use Some Cherries in Our Life!

1). Cherries are loaded with antioxidants! Their rich, deep color is indicative to their nutritional value, specifically when we think of antioxidants. It can generally be assumed that the darker the color, the more jammed fruits and veggies are with nutrients. The pigment of cherries is known as "anthocyanin glycosides," which is a type of flavanoid compound that carries red, purple and blue hues, and is notorious for murdering free radicals and other no-bueno-ness going on in our bods (like cancer, brain and heart disease).

2). They're Anti-inflammatory, and you should care because...when eaten, cherries help create a healthy environment inside our bodies that prevents disease from developing, and also reduces swelling and pain in our muscles and joints. They have be known to alleviate symptoms brought on by injury, arthritis and fibromyalgia.

3). Helps regulate sleep! Cherries are rich in melatonin, which easily crosses into the blood-brain barrier, allowing it to deliver calming and relaxing effects to brain neurons, preparing our body and mind to rest.

4). Rich in Minerals like...Potassium, Manganese, Iron, Zinc and Copper. All of these help keep the heart healthy by regulating rate and blood pressure.

5). Cherries are an excellent, low-calorie snack! They might be mini, but they pack a heavy dose of nourishment. One cup of these babies will only cost you approximately 90 calories. That's nothin'! You get a HUGE bang for your buck, Lovers! 

Fun Fact:

• The West Indian variety of cherry, known as "Acerola," has SUPER high levels of Vitamin C (1677.6 mg per 100 g or 2796 % of RDA) and Vitamin A (767 IU per 100 g).

Sources: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com / Wikipedia

Cherry Tips:

• Go organic! Cherries are one of the most contaminated fruits, smothered in toxic pesticides = No Bueno. But, if you have no other option, soak 'em in a fruit & veggie wash.
• Pair with Protein. This is my universal rule of thumb for any fruit, because protein helps stabilize blood sugar and satiate us for longer periods of time. Our blood sugar levels can spike after consuming fruit alone - although fiber does slow process down, but it often leaves us hungry soon after eating. I love pairing cherries with plain Greek-style yogurt, a handful of nuts or nut butter (usually peanut or almond!).

Now go eat some!!! Try this Daily Dubie Original Recipe out for size...

Cherry Pie Smoothie

1 cup frozen, pitted cherries

1/2 frozen banana

6 oz. almond milk

Pinch of cinnamon

Voíla! ...The Dubie is served, Yo!

Talk to y'all tomorrow, Homies.

Muchos Besos para Todo!

 XOXO

What's up Party People?!?

I have to cut the bullsh*t and stick it to ya straight today, because I've got to get my buns in the shower, then hop on over to meet my Mama Podi Pie and Honey Buns Delight (yes, his name just got longer) for dinner - A belated Mother's Day celebration is in order!

Buuuuuuut...before I go ahead and debut this week's menu, I have to show you this cute pic of us, duh!, tearing up the dance floor at the wedding we went to this weekend in Wimberly, Tejas.

Check it out, buttons:

AWwwwwWWwWww...pardon the cheese, but isn't my Honey the most handsome!?! I want to eat his face.

...Did things just get weird? HAH! Pardon me, muñecas, but I just love my husband too much! Lucky for you, I'm nailing any awkwardness in the coffin...NOW! It's done and ovah...

Moving right along...

'Tis time to take a juicy bite out of this week's 

Sneak Peek of the Week!

Monday: Ain't no time for fluff, in the interest of time, I've got to slice right into the pie today, so pay attention! Pay, pay attention!

Tuesday: Things get sa-weeeeeet on the Double-D sauce, when I talk Fruit. Tune in tomorrow to find out why Cherries are the bomb dot com for your mind + body + soul. ...Oh yes, one other thing...you can bet your bottom dollar there will be a Daily Dubie original recipe revealed! #GangstaNation

Wednesday: Woot! Woot! The time has come to welcome Part II of IV of your Mexican Food Makeover special. All eyes will be on quesadillas today, amigos! I'll share my tips and tricks on how you can keep this greasy, ooey gooey goodness clean, without sacrificing the taste. I'll also feature a high fiber, gluten-free and vegetarian recipe that will knock your chis-chis off! Yum-in-the-tum.

Thursday: <Cringe!> Yikes! It's happening agaiiiiiin. I talk to y'all about the uncomfortable position I willingly put myself in this week, with the hopes that you, too, will be more inclined to step outside your "safe zone," in order to dial your life up a notch, because we could all use more growth and change! #KeepitFresh

Friday: Okay, okay...so I owe you TWO sweet posts this week! My apologies for failing to deliver last Friday, I was on my way to Texas, Y'all! I can't reveal too much right now, because you know I like to end on a cliffhanger...BUT, I will give you two hints: One of the dishes is traditionally eaten for breakfast, and the other involves bananas. 

BAM! In yo face!

There you have it, Lovernesses! 

I'm outtie.

PEACE

 XOXO

Teach Prenatal Pilates!

It's no secret that I LOVE BEBES...Oh my gosh I want to eat them up and squeeze them all to pieces!...and then return them to their mommies and daddies so I can sleep through the night. 

I also also have an obsession with Mamas-to-be! Not only am I charmed at the sight of their growing buns-in-the-oven (watch out, I might touch!), I am fascinated by the drastic anatomical changes the body must go through in order to pop the sucker out.

I remain wildly impressed! 

With that said, I've always wanted to work with pregnant women during this magical time in their lives, and so I jumped at the opportunity to teach my first prenatal mat class with props this past Tuesday. 

But, Holy Baby Bumps!

You can bet your bottom dollar I was a nervous little pickle. There was a LOT of preparation to be had because teaching prenatal is entirely different than teaching regular classes/clients. It is absolutely imperative that you have a thorough understanding of the physical changes the body experiences at this time, so you can create a safe, effective and well-rounded workout for your mamas. Not to mention the fact that things can take a turn for the worse quickly for pregnant women, so the thought of their safety being in my hands heavied the pressure... 

But I was game! 

Woot! Woot!I And guess what...it was SO MUCH FUN! The minute I started class, I felt so much more at-ease and confident in what I was doing. And afterward, I felt pretty dang awesome, I'm not gonna lie.

...More because I was proud of myself for mustering up the courage to jump into something that many (experienced!) teachers avoid. I could have played it safe and not volunteered, which would have left me in the same, safe, and familiar place...but what fun is that?!? 

What about you, Lovers?!? 

What is one scary thing you want to do, but always avoid because you'd rather stay comfortable?

I challenge you to welcome new opportunities, go out on a limb and do or say something you know, deep down, is the best option for your own personal and professional growth.

...And when in doubt, remember this...

"Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that's the one that is going to require the most from you." - Caroline Myss

BAM!

I've said my peace. Tune in next Thursday to find out what I'll do next to get the hell out of my comfort zone. Juicy! Juicy!

BESOS

 XOXO