The Good Karma Giveaway Fiesta
7 days ago, I watched a video that I linked to from my friends Peter Ragnar & Katrina Mayer as part of their work with The Pro-Youthing Summit. This summit includes 3 free training videos for anti-aging, abundance, and spiritual wisdom that I highly recommend (you’ll see why). The first video I watched with Joe Vitale was very inspiring and really struck a cord within me. Read more
Testimonials For My Chocolate Superfood Desserts Class
Over the past several months, I’ve been teaching a chocolate-making class called Chocolate Superfood Desserts with my man, Christian Bates, that has received props from hundreds of inspired attendees. I’ve been truly blessed with this experience as it’s introduced me to many people whose lives I can now help on a deeper level which is extremely rewarding for me!
I’ve narrowed it down to just a few brief testimonials for you to read here – I wanted to share them with you!
There are 3 more healthy raw chocolate-making classes scheduled as of now and then I’ll be switching to another hot topic to help my local community implement super health-conscious choices into their busy lives. It’s really not all that hard, but it does take an understanding of certain concepts and a commitment to action.
If you would like to join me for 1 of my classes, or know someone who may be interested -
The dates available are:
Sunday Jan 22, 2-4:30pm
Tuesday Feb 7, 6:30-9pm
Sunday Feb 19, 2-4:30pm
What’s on the Menu?
Chocolate Almond Superfood Smoothie
Raw Chocolate Fudge
Chocolate Dream Ice Cream
Creamy Cacao Pudding
BONUS RECIPE: Mocha Java Body Scrub
Many more details can be found on my Events Page.
HERE’S WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING…
Wow! What a great class last week. I learned a great deal and want to know more. I was surprised and impressed at the depth of knowledge that both Bethanne and Christian have! Thanks again for everything. I felt transformed leaving your class. My energy was back to where it was 25 years ago.
~ Amey Shaw
Thank you, Bethanne and Christian!!! The Chocolate Superfood Workshop was a top-notch event, packed with useful information, helpful demonstrations, and of course, delicious chocolate creations. You and Christian are a wealth of information and wisdom, and I especially appreciate your attitude of allowing and kindness. It is evident that you are passionate about bringing health, harmony, and beauty to our lives and to the world, and it appears that you are well on your way to accomplishing just that 
~ Love & Blessings, Jasmine Shanti David
I recently attended Bethanne & Christian’s chocolate-making workshop. I was pleasantly surprised to see how easy the recipes were and Bethanne & Christian generously shared their superfoods knowledge and made it simple enough for me to go home with the confidence to try it myself. Can I just say I am sitting here right now eating some of the best tasting chocolate ever! Not only did I learn how to make this amazingly satisfying chocolate, I learned how to sneak some superfoods into my daily recipes… Thank you Bethanne & Christian for sharing your creations with us!
~ Daina Selph
Yum, the treats were absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to try out these recipes on my own. I plan to give the gift of healthy chocolates to everyone on my list and share them wherever I can. Sharing super healthy foods instead of toxic food with others during the holidays is always my goal. Now I know I can share something everyone will love, chocolate! Thank you Bethanne and Christian for an informative workshop. I love that you shared so much information about the ingredients in your recipes and empowered us to try to personalize and experiment with them.
~ Ramona Beville, Health Coach
Thank you so much!!! I really loved my experience with you two! I’ve been drinking my shake everyday since the talk… I could live on it actually… sooo yummy! I found the class informative and great fun! I loved the nutritional info in the class, packed with great sources and background on the super foods. Everything was yummy and great to know I can now make tasty treats that are actually good for me and my family! Great setting too! Highly recommend this class. Keep up the great work!
~ Fredda Psaltis
I REALLY enjoyed the Chocolate Superfood and Dessert making class by Christian and Bethanne. It was inspirational, educational, and fun! I made the superfood chocolate fudge at home the very next day and it was easy – even my husband and kids loved it. This is definitely something I will bring to wow my friends and family at future gatherings, raw foodies and SAD eaters alike.
~ Cindy Yacob
As a raw vegan who experiments with a variety of foods, it was fun for me to get new and creative ways to use raw chocolate mixed with superfoods. All the samples were delicious! Bethanne and Christian have a wealth of information to share and I highly recommend the Chocolate Making class or any other class or event that they host. Thanks!
~Ronit Gesundheit
Edible Goddess was also hand-selected to receive the honor of:
“Awesome Classes, as seen on ellen”
(the Ellen Degeneres Show!) – Thank You!
THANK YOU to everyone who has sent in positive & kind words about their experience at the Chocolate Superfood Desserts class! I expect the next series of classes will also blow you away! Details posting soon. ♥
2011′s Top 10 Grateful List
I haven’t posted in months and yet have been making notes of blog ideas for potential upcoming posts. Which topic do I write on 1st? Gratitude is always a good place to start and with 2011 melting into the past and 2012 upon us, what could be more relevant than a years overview of gratitude?
This has been an “interesting” (aka: challenging) year for some and whether or not you consider yourself 1 of them, there are always plenty of reasons to count your blessings and show some appreciation for what ya have.
My Top 10 Grateful List for 2011 (“I am grateful for…”)
1) Formulating the best version of my Chocolate Goldies to date. They have reached a milestone in terms of quality, flavor, texture, and outrageously positive feedback. I’m very proud and excited for their future. I created what I wanted myself, and everyone else cannot get enough!
2) My ability to show & speak my love without resistance. Even when my super strong 75 lb dog was in a heated stand-off with 2 disgruntled & defensive 1200-1500 lb cows on Christmas day at the beach (I know, very random LOL), I ran to his defense to save him from what was an imminent disaster. Scary as hell, but all out of love. Real love overrides, I’m convinced.
3) All the people I learn from: self-development gurus / authors / speakers, women entrepreneurs making a big difference, cutting edge nutrition superstars & colleagues, and those that continue to spread the message they are here to share. Shine your light; I am listening. 
4) Listening to my inner guidance which of course resulted in a saving grace at the last possible second when looking for a new place to live earlier this summer. The synchronicity & goodness of it all is absurd; as it turns out, my new next door neighbor is the man behind the #1 nutritional bar in history (and continues to be today); his experience and generous insights have given us valuable perspective. And, we have a cozy space to live & an ideal space to grow food, for now. Yay!
5) My organic edible vegetable garden, which has changed my life for the better forever. It’s the best health decision I have ever made. I had no idea how much of an impact it would have on my emotional and physical health.
6) The body I have, the health I’ve earned, the mindset I’ve adopted, the attitude I’ve embraced, the life I’m creating, the positive impact I’ve had, and the continual discoveries I make about myself.
7) The immense support I received after a big & hairy change took place in my professional life at the very beginning of this year. Emails, messages & letters poured in with love, gratitude, positive mojo, blessings, and shifts in perspective. Thank you! I came to a deeper understanding w/ more clarity of all that I’m here to contribute and how I can best serve others (aiming to have a positive global impact seeking to uplift mankind). Much more on this in 2012…
8) The thoughtful email I received from a friend which led to a series of mini-miracles and extraordinary experiences ultimately connecting me with the inspiring mentor & coach I’ve been seeking for years. All because I trusted my intuition and acted on it. No coincidences folks!
9) The clients I’ve attracted into my life. Ideal would be the best word to describe these women. If you’re a coach or practitioner, you know how important it is to work with those you WANT to work with. I love their commitment to themselves & that they inspire me, too!
10) My faith and trust in this next year to be exploding with ridiculous synchronicities, abundance, magic, miracles, love, peace, joy, well-being, unity, transformation, and transcendence. 2012 is the year it comes together my friends!
POST YOUR COMMENTS! WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?
The Best Health Decision I EVER Made
My bountiful garden, a heart-warming project for me
Ten & a half years ago, I lost my mom to the ever-increasing cancer battle that way too many people are familiar with. She had a super rare form of this dis/ease and witnessing her pain and body falling apart – literally dying as the days passed – had a deeply profound effect on me. It would anyone, and I know I’m not the only one with this story – but I am one of the rare birds who consciously spins things like this to my favor. Read more
Bethanne’s Personal Exercise Routine For Radiant Health
Is there a specific strategy to keep a girl really toned, trim, and fit? Other than the obvious – eat a clean diet and exercise regularly – what specifically can be done to whittle down the waist, slim down the thighs, and get rid of cellulite? I’ve been experimenting in the past several months with my exercise routine and have put together a list of my favorite activities that also happen to give me the best results.
My confession is that consistent and regular exercise is the 1 thing that has not always been consistent and regular. When I’m “on” – I’m ON. And when I’m in a phase of lacking self motivation – my body, energy levels, mood & thighs show me I’ve been slacking.
I’m happy to say that this summer I’ve been very inspired and motivated and know my commitment is paying off because I FEEL GOOD! Isn’t that what we’re all reaching for anyway?
Beautiful Marin County w/ hiking trails galore
Hiking: Trails are everywhere in Marin County, CA – so much so, that I could potentially find new trails to explore nearly every week. I love being so connected with Nature hiking in the woods and open country, it’s like a moving meditation for me. There are lots of hills with breath-taking panoramic views to enjoy while getting a great booty workout.
Rebounding: Typically 5-30 minutes per day, at times split throughout the morning, afternoon, and evening. I love doing jumping jacks and jogging on the rebounder. Just get on, jump up & down, twist, and hop around to move your lymph and detoxify the fun way! Then, I get off and do tricep pushups against the rebounder – my fav way to tone up that area.
Jogging: I’ve got a big sweet dog who never tires and his pace for walking/prancing is a nice jog for me. I usually go for a minimum of 30 minutes when I jog and at times up to 75 (of which I’ll jog about 1/2 to 2/3 of the route depending upon how hot it is and walk the rest). Jogging has to be 1 of the quickest ways I know of to get leaner thighs, but it’s not something I’m committed to every day. I go in spurts.
I love my bike!
Biking: Got my bike tuned up after 2 years of it being more or less in storage and I’m riding 35-60 mins a day, everyday now since the cobwebs got dusted off earlier last month. I ride in flip flops, a tank top, and feel the breeze whiz by my skin. There’s no shortage of hills, and they are quite tolerable yet still offer a wicked leg workout.
Walking: 5+ years ago when I got my high energy dog, Java, I lost almost 10 lbs just from walking, playing, and running around with him. Get a dog that doesn’t tire easily if you need to lose weight – seriously – it forces you to commit and works like nothing else! And, take your furry love on long walks to allow yourself time to decompress, be with yourself, and think. The results for your body and mind are amazing.
Rollerblading is so much fun!
Rollerblading: I’m obsessed with rollerblading. There’s something about it that’s thrilling and exhilarating for me! It’s also a bad ass workout to slim down legs that have trouble losing excess fat. I recently moved into a neighborhood that is perfect for blading and although I could go everyday, there’s so much else I do that I blade whenever the mood strikes. In Seattle, where I lived until I moved to Marin Cty the fall of 2009, there’s an amazing trail called the Burke Gilman that I’d blade on for 1-2 hrs. There’s a paved trail just 30 mins away where I live now so I can get back on my rollerblading joy ride! I just started taking my dog with me to burn his excess energy, too – good times!
Yoga: I’m a fan of Bikram and Power Yoga. Again, this is a moving meditation for me and I love the focus and determination it takes to make my way through a class. At home, I do yoga on the patio in the Sun w/ my boyfriend, which I love 
MY OBSERVATION: I notice that I enjoy the types of exercise that feel freeing and even exhilarating to me – and therefore, I can maintain a more consistent and regular routine. I’m the type of person who HAS TO love the activity I do, otherwise it won’t happen. This is why I switch between all of the above and I keep my body guessing so it doesn’t become the same hum-drum exercise every day.
MY ADVICE: Find activities you cannot get enough of, rotate them, and do whatever it takes to get into the momentum and carry it forward!
The Ultimate Beauty Elixir with MSM & Pearl
Combining MSM, pearl, and whole food vitamin C is one of the most powerful ways to get the radiant glow and glowing skin that makes you appear 10 years younger than you are. MSM and vitamin C (lemon is used in the elixir below), work in synergy and allow for greater absorption and assimilation when used together. They create such a smooth finish on the skin that hardly anything else can touch… until you add PEARL to the mix! Pearl is a renowned herb that takes the basic elixir concept to the next level.
MSM + Pearl + Fresh Lemon = MAGICAL Combination
The Ultimate Beauty Elixir w/ MSM & Pearl
The Ultimate Beauty Elixir
4.5 cups spring water
1 teaspoon plant-derived MSM
1/2 teaspoon pearl powder
2 freshly squeezed organic lemons
1/4 teaspoon organic white stevia extract
1-2 big pinches sea salt
several ice cubes (made w/ spring water)
Blend on high for 20 seconds. Drink daily to clear skin conditions, and feed your body the nourishment it desires and needs for flawless beauty.
WHY PEARL?
The benefits of using pearl consistently and constantly are endless. Pearl is the beauty secret behind the beautiful women of the Orient, who are known for looking young for what seems like – forever. It is rich in minerals, amino acids, and co-factors. These are the top reasons a women wants pearl in her regular beauty regimen:
Pearl
- Lower blood pressure
- Benefits reproduction
- Relieve “wandering arthritis,” and internal fever
- Remove visual obstacles and improve eyesight
- Ability to relieve uneasiness of the heart and mind
- Prevents skin from looking old, wrinkled, and from sagging
- Maintain energy, vitality; increase endurance; overcome fatigue
- Promote muscle development and to invigorate blood circulation
- Age slowly and avoid being easily harmed by time or the elements
- Relieve uneasiness, nervousness, anxiety and tension (stress shows on your face)
- Provides the minerals necessary to possibly prevent osteoporosis and to strengthen the cardiovascular system
(benefits re-written from Dragon Herbs)
You can get Pearl online – 1 of my favorite places to source Chinese Tonic Herbs is from Dragon Herbs: www.DragonHerbs.com.
♥ If you like this, you’ll love my book Superfood Beauty Elixirs!
Annmarie Gianni’s Skincare Products Review (3 of 3)
At last, the 3rd and final review of Annmarie Gianni’s Skin Care line! If you missed the others, read the 1st review here and the 2nd review here. In all honesty, this line is by far 1 of my very favorite lines in existence and I will continue to use Annmarie’s products!
Herbal Facial Oil
Herbal Facial Oil
Herbs are extremely powerful forces of Nature that offer us a wide-spectrum of nutrients and antioxidants, whether taken internally or applied externally. What I adore about the Herbal Facial Oil is that it is INFUSED with dozens of gentle, yet potent herbs that provide deep healing, nourishment, and regeneration to my skin. Its effectiveness is visually apparent; what I personally notice is that my face LOOKS SOFTER.
I reviewed the Anti-Aging Facial Oil in my 2nd review of Annmarie’s line and I have to say that it’s really difficult to choose a favorite between the two. They complement each other so well, so I have been rotating them every other day. The thing is, the Herbal Facial Oil IS anti-aging, and the Anti-Aging Facial Oil IS infused with herbs – so I suggest trying them both and seeing what feels best on your own skin.
You cannot go wrong with either of these facial oils that never seems to irritate sensitive skin! Annmarie offers 2 Herbal Facial Oils: one for normal and combination skin, and another for oily and acne prone skin. I tested the one for normal/combination skin but based upon the ingredient list for the acne prone skin oil, those blemishes don’t stand a chance!
The BENEFITS of the Herbal Facial Oil Include:
• Balancing out combination skin
• Soothing sensitive skin
• Restoring your youthful glow
Anti-Aging Serum
Anti-Aging Serum
I’ve always wondered whether or not serums are actually a necessary part of a skin care regimen, in addition to facial oils. I’m so happy I had the chance to experience this one so I could test and experience it myself! Serums are very targeted in their mission toward healing the skin and reversing poor signs of aging by increasing skin moisture. The Anti-Aging Serum is filled to the brim with super natural, organic, and wildcrafted herbal extracts and oils that offer a synergistic youthening blend.
It’s high in the essential fatty acids your skin needs to look soft, supple, and glowing. This Serum contains Life Everlasting which promotes longevity and regeneration of our skin cells. I love that you don’t have to use very much, therefore allowing the bottle to last a long time! You can use it like a spot-treatment, or spread it all over your beautiful face just prior to any of the facial oils.
The Anti-Aging Serum is ideal for mature and dry skin (who isn’t going to say they don’t have that?) 
Purifying Mud Mask
Purifying Mud Mask
Don’t let the short list of ingredients in this one fool you! The variety of clays are so extraordinary individually, that together, they are magic for the skin! Throw in some blue green algae and you have an all-time winning combo.
Powdered masks are amazing because all you need to do is mix them with an equal amount of water, swirl into a paste, and apply. They are easy and ideal to travel with and serve many purposes (cleansing, detoxifying, removing heavy metals, decreasing pore size, etc). Clays are known to draw out toxins, accumulated poisons, dirt, excess oil, and congestion from the pores of your skin. They suck the bad stuff out and leave you with a clean slate – often not an easy thing to accomplish on a deep level even with a good cleanser.
I keep a small ceramic shell in my shower and shake some of the clay mask in it, add water, stir with my finger, apply, and leave on for the duration of my shower. Works wonders! Apply the Purifying Mud Mask to your face AND neck (no old women chicken necks around here!) once per week if you have normal skin, and more often with oily, and less often with real dry skin.
♥ Order Your Organic, Natural, and Wildcrafted Skin and Body Care HERE!
Mixed Berry Goji Jam
I’ve always wanted to make my own jam – my style – RAW and without white cane sugar like most store bought jams & jellies. I searched and asked around how other health-conscious enthusiasts make theirs, and was inspired to whip one up focusing all the mixed berries in season during summer.
The recipe here was an experiment for a friend who loves my stone ground almond butter that we swirl with raw wildcrafted honey; the jam turned out wonderful and we both loved it!
Enjoy this high-antioxidant jam:
♥ by the spoonful
♥ as the fruit layer in a pie
♥ as part of a nut butter sandwich
♥ swirled together with almond butter in a bowl
♥ as 1 layer in a chilled homemade goey energy bar
Mixed Berry Goji Jam
MIXED BERRY GOJI JAM
*everything should be organic or wildcrafted!
Makes approx 18 ounces
2.5 cups mixed fresh OR thawed and strained frozen strawberries, raspberries, and/or blueberries
8 pitted dates (to taste)
small handful dried (or fresh) goji berries
2 T raw wild honey
1 – 2 T lucuma powder (a Peruvian low-glycemic berry)
Pinch of sea salt
LOVE ♥
Optional: Few drops of your chosen medicine extract from Medicine Flower (I used blueberry): http://www.medicineflower.com/flavorextracts.html
Directions: Process in a food processor for several minutes until everything is well-blended. Scoop into glass jars and store in fridge.
This jam is so light, sweet, and fragrant! If you’d like a more TART jam, use Inca Berries instead of goji berries.
I used the full amount listed for lucuma, but do know that you will be able to taste the powder in the texture just a bit, so if you want to avoid that, use a smaller amount.
Jams are higher in sugar, so be mindful of this when consuming them. I usually do not eat dates very often, but decided to give this a recipe a try WITH them, and will try another version without them. It’s preferable to make your own jams and jellies so you know exactly what goes in them, and you can load it up with high antioxidant organic fruits and organic raw sweeteners so it is balanced.
Annmarie Gianni’s Skincare Products Review (2 of 3)
In the 1st review, I shared my TOP 3 picks – my personal favorites that blew me away. If you missed my 1st review for Annmarie Gianni’s skincare line, read it here! Below I share the ones I adore for using together as part of a daily regimen. Use the gentle facial scrub first, then spritz with the toning mist, and apply the anti-aging oil just after for a flawless finish.
Ayurvedic Facial Scrub
Ayurvedic Facial Scrub
The wonderful thing about a facial scrub is that if you find one gentle enough, you can use it daily to cleanse and exfoliate with amazing results. What I really like about this scrub is that it’s unique; many facial scrubs in the raw beauty industry are nothing more than crushed almonds and oats, but Annmarie has used fenugreek seeds, lavender flowers, and the leaves of various herbs to create a texture that actually FEELS like you’re getting a good scrub without even coming close to being irritating. Love this one!
You likely already know the multitude of benefits for exfoliating your skin, but I will share with you my top 3 reasons to use a facial scrub regularly:
1) Nourish and re-mineralize your face at the same time
2) Slough off dead skin cells to reveal a brighter appearance
3) You can indulge in what feels like a mini spa experience without leaving your home
Neroli Toning Mist
Neroli Toning Mist
I think this product may not have gotten the love and attention it deserved when I first received it. Why? Well, I made the silly assumption that it was just a light spritzer and wouldn’t really do much for my skin or mood. Oh how I was wrong! I love being wrong about these things.
What changed? I moved earlier this month and during the long packing process I found myself stashing the Neroli Toning Mist in an easily accessible area so I could refresh and have a moment of replenishment among the chaos of moving. What I noticed after every time of using it was that my mood was instantly lifted – my stress started to vanish – and the “chaos” felt more like pure excitement! How could this be?! Neroli is THE aroma for lifting moods, bringing a frowning face to a smiling face, and raising the vibe wherever it’s sprayed. I sprayed it all over the place, even in my hair!
So, I went through the ENTIRE bottle in 1 week. I used it after I applied the Aloe Herb Cleanser and before the Facial Oils as well as throughout the day at home and in the car (brought it with me in my tote bag). The Neroli Toning Mist soothes the skin, cools you off during the warmer days of summer, and brings your skin back to perfect balance. Yes, please! I’ll take some of that.
Ant-Aging Facial Oil
Anti-aging Facial Oil
A girl’s gatta have an “anti-aging” / youth-enhancing facial oil – if she’s serious about taking really good care of her skin. In comparing this facial oil with the other one Annmarie offers (the herbal one, to be reviewed in the 3rd review), I did my due diligence to find what makes this one deserve the term anti-aging. Firstly, it delivers everything it offers and that’s super important when seeking out a product that can help turn back time in your favor. Here’s why:
The Anti-Aging Facial Oil is LOADED WITH SUPER HIGH ANTIOXIDANT COMMON and EXOTIC FRUIT OILS. It’s absurdly high in antioxidants – the list goes on forever! – and has the highest antioxidant value of any topical facial skincare product available. What this means for you:
1) The health of your skin will begin to look and feel dramatically better, healthier, and youthful.
2) The more antioxidants you put ON your skin, the less likely you are to burn from the Sun
3) It IS possible to stay looking young and to reverse poor signs of aging due to those nasty free radicals in your body
I love, love, love this facial oil! I like using it undiluted, straight on my face, as well as added to extra virgin coconut oil to really spread it far and wide. Just mix several drops of the facial oil in 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil and spread over your face, neck, chest, breasts, etc if you choose to do it this way – there’s no “right” way – just experiment and have fun lookin’ younger!
♥ Order Your Organic, Natural, and Wildcrafted Skin and Body Care HERE!
Wild Walk & Talk and Spring Water Harvesting
Christian in his element
Back by popular demand, we’ve got another wild herb walk and talk and spring water harvesting event in Marin County – on the stunning Mt Tamalpais! Join us if you’re available and bring your friends to partner in health together!
With Lead Host Christian Bates and Co-Hostess Bethanne Wanamaker
When: Sunday July 31 at 1pm (plan for up to 3 hours)
Where: Meet at the parking lot across the street from the Mountain Home Inn, Panoramic Highway, Mill Valley
Cost: $15 for the wild walk and talk; $20 if you would like one of Christian & Bethanne’s mouth-watering low-glycemic raw chocolate superfood smoothies! Smoothies will be served just prior to the hike.
Join your lead-host Christian and co-hostess Bethanne Wanamaker on a mesmerizing adventure on Mt. Tamalpais to discover local wild foods and medicinal herbs as we journey on the border between civilization and the old growth Muir Woods. Our destination will be the beautiful Fern Creek, gushing perfect cold drinking water straight out of the mountain. Learn the history of the Bay Area and practical tools you can use to up-level your health.
Join us for a highly educational walk and discover:
♥ How to rebuild your immune system and restore stressed adrenal glands
♥ How wild foods, superfoods, and tonic herbs can strengthen your holistic nutritional strategy for optimal health
♥ How to eat to adapt to your particular lifestyle, exercise program, and toxic exposure
♥ The history of Mt. Tamalpais, a sacred land balanced between preservation and secret corruption
Plus, Questions and Answers with Christian – no topic is off limits
The hike will be relatively flat with somewhat of an incline and rocks along the path with breathtaking panoramic views!
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