Does a Body Good

There are times when we all feel a little bit slow and tired.  This is normal but also a sign.  A sign that something isn't quite right. 
For many of us our days are spent working and getting the kids off to school.  Maybe your day is spent getting little odds and ends wrapped up.  Whatever your day is filled with, there comes a time when you need to unwind and give your body an opportunity to heal.  Our bodies are meant to be in motion.  They are made to move, work, stretch, rest, and relax.  We ask a lot of our bodies on a daily basis and sometimes we need to let it re-energize.  I have three great ways for you to re-charge
1.) drink water.  Our bodies are nearly 70% water and we need water to survive.  Water cleanses our cells and purifies our system.  It can flush out toxins and waste products that build up as a result of stress.  
2.) Stretch.  Our bodies can get tightly wound and our muscles need a chance to breathe.  Take 15 minutes and stretch, this also releases toxins and allows your body to get back in balance.
3.) Breathe deeply, exhale completely.  Much of the time our lungs are not filled nor emptied completely.  That leaves unclean air in our system.  Take a deep breath, hold it for three seconds, and exhale until you can't go any farther.
These three things are sure to clean and rejuvenate even the most tired body!   

Friends Forever

It is Christmas Past and the ticking clock serves as a reminder that we have been remiss.  We have neglected ourselves for the sake of wrapping one last gift, and baking yet another cookie, and it simply can't go on.  Wave goodbye to the next of kin, stack the reports in tomorrow's basket, sell the children to a passing caravan and come back to the center of the you that has been buried all of these weeks.  It is time to coax the concern out of the brow line, exfoliate away the wrinkles, stretch away the stress, make a plan for taking less steps to get “there” and let the world revolve, if only for an afternoon, without our personal assistance. It will continue to turn despite our conviction that it all starts and ends at our doorstep.  We can take a day off to breathe, to laugh, to saturate our souls with nourishment, and when we come back to what we deem to be reality, we might be surprised at what we find, for standing there refreshed and renewed will be someone we haven't seen a long time.  It will be the best friend we have ever known, and when we see her, we must greet ourselves with a kiss!

Good Vibes

Have you noticed how good you feel during the holidays? With everyone focused on giving and expressing love to one another we are generating our highest vibration – love and gratitude. Let’s all make one New Year’s resolution together and decide to keep the good vibes going throughout 2011. Then notice how your good vibrations attract what you associate with feeling good.

May you have a healthy and happy New Year!

Carol

Happy Holidays!!

Friends Forever

Friend
A friend is a person
to laugh and cry with,
An inspiration,
Someone who lends a helping hand,
though friends may not be forever,
And they may not end up together,
the memories of a true friendship will
last forever.
A friend is not a shadow nor a servant
But someone who hold
a piece of a person in his heart.
Someone who shares a smile,
Someone who brightens up your day
What makes a person a friend?
Is by saying your Love will stay.

- Renee donna Bufete

found at: http://www.theholidayspot.com/friendship/poems_for_friendship.htm

~Breaths You Take~

Breathe.  Let go.  And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.  ~Oprah Winfrey

I came across this quote this afternoon.  It stopped me for a second and I had to think.  Today is a Monday and Monday’s are always hectic.  We are always trying to catchup from the weekend and sometimes it just makes my head spin!  I don’t like it that I spend the good part of every Monday chasing my tail and failing to enjoy the world around me, espassialy this time of year.  I want to have a chance to enjoy the holidays and spent time just living in the magic of Christmas. 
I think that many of us business owners forget to take a second to just take a deep breath but, at least for me, those deep breaths are what keep me alive- litterally.  I need those few seconds to regroup and unwind.  Those deep breaths clear me head and energize me to keep going.  This time of year the breaths are full of cookie baking, pine trees, and hot apple cider.  We have to take the time to “Breathe” those things in and “Breathe” in the moments we have because the breath we have now is the only one we can say we have for sure. 
To me a breath can be as simple as actually taking a deep breath but is can also be having coffee with my mom or stepping away from the computer to take a phone call from my dad.  It can be coloring with my 6-year-old cousin or playing a hockey game on the lake.  Some breaths may mean more than others but each one is important so, I challenge you to take more ”Breaths” this week.  Seeing that Christmas Eve is Friday and Christmas Day is Saturday, I challenge you to do one thing every day this week that makes the day, the season, or this Christmas your most memorable yet.  I will do that same and tell you what “Breaths” I take this week.
found at: http://xandrepress.wordpress.com/ 

THE MAGIC OF LIVING

There is magic in each moment that need not be explained.

With awareness from the soul, these moments are retained.

Through the miracle of birth, we’re blessed with senses that delight . . .

taste, touch, smell, sound and our precious gift of sight.

When we come to our senses we hold the magic of living.

It is an eternal gift to ourselves that keeps on giving.

            Feel the wind dancing lightly in your hair,

            gentle rays of sunshine warming skin so bare.

            See the children playing, laughing through it all,

            chasing wings of butterflies, catching leaves that fall.

            Hear the music deep within you, with every fiber of your being.

            Create a fantasy of images from the sounds that you are seeing.

            Breathe in the fragrant gift from the flowers and the trees.

            Taste the sweet, pure honey from the magic of the bees.

There is a time for receiving as there is a time for giving.

Celebrate each moment . . . experience the magic of living!

~ Carol Gutzeit

           

like a butterfly

Being happy...

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

our brightest day may come in the middle of the night

It is the toughest day when we find our greatest strength.  It is the day we feel alone, that we have to remember that we are not.  It is the day that we feel hopeless, that we must hope and the we don't want to pray, that we must pray.
Our lives never stop to ask us if we are ok with what is going on or what we are dealing with.  Life just goes on blindly and sometimes it is all we can do to keep up.  Life waits for no one, life cares for no one, life feels for no one.  This is truth and sometimes truth hurts, but where there is truth there is also hope, faith, love, and understanding. 
We must remember that our brightest day may come in the middle of the night and our greatest power may come for our weakest moment.
The day to day may have no rhyme but that does not mean it has no reason..

Our Second First Kiss

I thought this poem was beautiful! 

We dwell on the past, while living the present
But I admit, the past was unpleasant
Full of ups and downs, less pleasure more pain
We wished for the sun, but only got rain
We both made mistakes, put pain in our hearts
But here we are again, promising to never part
Counting our blessings and letting go of the past
Starting all over and making it last
Feelings and memories flow deep in my mind
Of those days our love was genuine and kind
Holding you close, feeling your skin
You look into my eyes and make my head spin
Those feelings are back, but stronger than ever
I know you're the one I wanna hold on to forever
We both smile again, nothing's better than this
Kissing you again was like our second first kiss.
- Giselle Simental -
Found at: http://www.lovepoemsandquotes.com/LovePoem165.html

8 Foods for better skin

We found this at http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/11/23/eight-foods-for-healthy-skin-this-winter/ .  This is some great information!  Read through it.  It is fantastic!
As winter approaches, it’s a great time to explore ways to keep our skin hydrated and healthy during the harsh weather ahead. Here are some wonderful skin foods that will keep your face looking fresh and youthful this season:

1. Lemon is purifying to the body and gives a lovely glow to the skin when consumed regularly with water (it may also help the body stay regular) or tea.
2. Apples: Did you know that organic red delicious and granny smith apples are excellent for the skin? Scientific studies have shown them to fortify both collagen and elastin production. 
3. Aloe is known to draw oxygen to the skin and lock it in. Aloe also has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties and it heals burns and wounds when applied topically. Aloe makes a wonderful refreshing juice that cleanses and purifies our inner systems. Regularly drinking aloe helps to keep the body hydrated, so if you drink coffee, which is known to dehydrate the skin, try drinking aloe juice to balance your system.
   
4. Cucumber is a well-known classic. Try this skin refresher recipe I discovered at Lettus Cafe: juice cucumber, apple and strawberry, for a gorgeous outer glow. Cucumber also cools the delicate eye area so try placing a slice over each eye for a relaxing treat.
5. Green Tea contains Camellia Sinesis (its plant of origin) which is rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols are compounds that demonstrate amazing healing properties, protect skin, help reverses damage and prevent oxidative stress. Drinking green tea regularly is one of the best ways to keep healthy, both inside and out.
6. Pomegranate like green and white tea is full of polyphenols and contains ellagic acid known for anti-inflammatory and anti-bactrerial properties. Some have said pomegranete can ward off colds or shorted the duration. Try this delicious pomegranate tulsi tea from Organic India.
7. White tea is one of the richest in cancer-fighting anti-oxidants in the world. It comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant just like green tea, however white tea leaves are harvested earlier in spring, air-dried and foregoe the heating process of green tea. Drink white tea to stay healthy and beautiful.
8. Apricots help keep one youthful as they are known to be an anti-aging fruit. Carotenoids are antioxidants found in this fruit that protect the body. Apricots help give your skin that youthful glow, so snack on them often.

PROMISES WORTH KEEPING

PROMISES WORTH KEEPING

I promise myself . . .

To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.

To give so much time to improving myself that I have not time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

                                                                                                Christian D. Larson

There are a dozen promises here you can make to yourself. I suggest choosing one for each of the next twelve days of Christmas and see how keeping each promise impacts your life.

Happy Holidays!

~ Carol  

Peace of Mind

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
Buddha

~Your Time~

Now is the time that everyone starts talking about gifts for Christmas, New Year's resolutions, and good times past.  Many people would like to suggest that a new outfit will give you that boost you need, that a trip to get away from it all would make things right, a certificate the get your hair and nails done is just the thing you need.
I am not saying that all of these things are not great ways to generate a little extra happiness and peace but all of these things are here today, gone tomorrow. 
I think that in times such as these, we are all looking for a little pep talk, a new way to shake off the dust, an opportunity to revive the lives we live.  These days, things can be tough and even exhausting at times so I challenge you to give yourself a different kind of gift this year.  The gift of time.

I challenge you to give yourself time that is all your own.  Time to read a chapter in that new book, time to take a deep breath, time to have a cup of coffee with your sister, time to get that massage or facial, time to take that yoga class, time to share your thoughts and feelings with someone who will listen, time to feel the sun on your face.  Give yourself time everyday, even if it is just 5 minutes, to just be you, to take a step back, and to have something that is all your own.

Gift For The Holidays!!

December Massage Gift Certificate Special: Give and Receive

Massage is the perfect holiday gift…

Purchase two gift certificates and receive a

third gift certificate (of equal value) FREE

Give as a gift, or treat yourself!

A gift for well-being, ideal for stress-relief during the busy holiday season

Limited offer for gift certificates purchased in the month of December

For more information, call Mary Davis, BA, CMT, LST, at 720-244-7217

voted “Best Massage Therapist” by mountain area residents

Healing Traditions Bodywork Client Testimonial:

“I went to Healing Traditions and Mary after being injured in an auto accident and suffering minor whiplash.  After the first session, I felt considerably better and after the 2^nd and 3^rd, I felt pretty much back to normal.  Mary gives a great massage due to the fact that she listens to what you want and she discusses your needs (aches and pains) with you first.  If you’ve suffered an injury from an accident, are attempting to simply loosen up or recover from a workout/overexertion or are simply wanting to get a massage for the relaxation and tune-up benefits, she listens to you and then adapts the session to what you want and need.  I have tried a number of masseuses in the past, but have now been a client of Healing Traditions for nearly 4 yrs.  I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

Charlie, Lakewood resident



Strength For Today

Freedom (1960's)

To stand forth in strength;
The strength of wisdom,
The strength of knowledge,
The strength of power,
The strength to stand tall,
The strength to say nay,
The strength to be proud,
To be strong, able and wise,
Down this road true freedom lies...

Karl Stuart Kline

DEEP RELAXATION

Why is it sometimes difficult to relax and be at ease? This is the work of an over zealous ego that is always "shoulding" as a way to feel better about itself.  Should I do this or should I do that to get what I need? The problem with this way of thinking is that the ego is never satisfied for long, even when you do everything you think you should do—there is always more to do. So how do we get the ego to quiet down and stop telling us what we should do so we can relax and enjoy life?

Once you let go of the tension in your body it becomes easier to calm your mind. Quieting the mind through deep relaxation has tremendous benefits. First, and foremost, you will experience greater peace of mind. Secondly, you go into the alpha state, one of the electrical brain-wave patterns produced by the brain. This is an altered state of consciousness, like daydreaming, that  has a special kind of awareness associated with it. It is the state you are in right before you fall asleep and right after you wake up. At this level of the mind you are connected with your right brain—the creative, intuitive side.

You may be thinking that you don't have time during the course of your busy day to devote to deep relaxation. The truth is, it is one of the best uses of your time. Fifteen to twenty minutes of deep relaxation is equivalent to a three-hour nap. It refreshes and invigorates your body and allows you to tap into the creativity of your right brain. Your powers of visualization are twenty times more effective when you are deeply relaxed so it is the perfect time to use your imagination in a productive way. Make sure you won't be interrupted and listen to soothing music to help you relax.

During the holidays it is especially important to take time for relaxation. This could make the difference between enjoying this season and stressing out until it’s over. Our Satori Fitness classes (Mondays and Wednesdays at noon) end with a guided deep relaxation and leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

May you have a peaceful and relaxing holiday,

~ Carol

Holiday Make up Trends & Tips

Two classic looks have reemerged for this holiday season: smokey, shimmery eyes paired with light lips, and deep red lips balanced with lighter eye makeup. Shimmer seems to always be in for the Holiday parties, but do not over do it.

For Smokey Eyes apply eyeliner on both top and bottom lashes, be sure to smudge it to soften the look.  Use an eye shadow primer and a shimmery shadow on the lid. Dab a shimmery blush on the cheeks, powder your face lightly and apply a light lipstick or gloss for the perfect "little black dress" look.

Make up tip: cover unsightly veins on eyelids with a matte eyeshadow in a color close to your skin tone.

We Make Christmas Shopping Easy with TWO FOR ONE Gift Certificates

The Spa At Evergreen

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE ON GIFT CERTIFICATES!
Purchase a gift certificate in the amount of your choice to give to a friend or loved one, and receive the same amount for yourself, as a gift from us!
All services redeemed from the gift certificate recipient, as well as the purchaser, will include an aromatherapy scalp massage and hydrating paraffin treatment for the hands and feet as a bonus!
Gift Certificates are for spa services only and are non-transferable.

SPA KITCHEN BODY PRODUCTS
Gift baskets include luxurious salt scrubs to smooth and hydrate rough, dry winter skin, and relaxing bath salts to soothe tired, sore muscles.  Both are enriched in the aromatic fragrance of Ginger Essence.

EXTREME BLING BOUTIQUE ITEMS
The Spa At Evergreen will be carrying select items from Extreme Bling!

Contact Lisa at 720-4DAYSPA (720-432-9772)

"The earth has grown old with its burden of care But at Christmas it always is young, The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair And its soul full of music breaks the air, When the song of angels is sung."
-- Phillips Brooks



December Massage Gift Certificate Special

December Massage Gift Certificate Special: Give and Receive

Massage is the perfect holiday gift…

Purchase two gift certificates and receive a

third gift certificate (of equal value) FREE

Give as a gift, or treat yourself!

A gift for well-being, ideal for stress-relief during the busy holiday season

Limited offer for gift certificates purchased in the month of December

For more information, call Mary Davis, BA, CMT, LST, at 720-244-7217

voted “Best Massage Therapist” by mountain area residents

Healing Traditions Bodywork Client Testimonial:

“I went to Healing Traditions and Mary after being injured in an auto accident and suffering minor whiplash.  After the first session, I felt considerably better and after the 2^nd and 3^rd, I felt pretty much back to normal.  Mary gives a great massage due to the fact that she listens to what you want and she discusses your needs (aches and pains) with you first.  If you’ve suffered an injury from an accident, are attempting to simply loosen up or recover from a workout/overexertion or are simply wanting to get a massage for the relaxation and tune-up benefits, she listens to you and then adapts the session to what you want and need.  I have tried a number of masseuses in the past, but have now been a client of Healing Traditions for nearly 4 yrs.  I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

Charlie, Lakewood resident



The Benefits of Yoga for Runners

During the course of an average mile run, your foot will strike the ground 1,000 times. The force of impact on each foot is about three to four times your weight. It's not surprising, then, to hear runners complain of bad backs and knees, tight hamstrings and sore feet.
The pain most runners feel is not from the running in and of itself, but from imbalances that running causes and exacerbates. If you bring your body into balance through the practice of yoga, you can run long and hard for years to come. Although yoga and running lie on opposite ends of the exercise spectrum, the two need not be mutually exclusive. In fact, running and yoga make a good marriage of strength and flexibility.
By Baron Baptiste and Kathleen Finn Mendola, from the Yoga Journal

11 Basic Principles

1.         Life is energy.

2.         We thrive on a balance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy.

3.         Balance leads to harmony and creates the foundation for an optimal quality of life.

4.         We shape our bodies and our lives with energy.

5.         A state of balance and harmony can be developed through training.

6.         Physical energy is increased by releasing internal blocks of tension.

7.         Mental energy is enhanced by the positive use of our imagination and focused attention.

8.         Emotional energy is stimulated through healthy expression.

9.         Spiritual energy flows freely through acceptance, trust, gratitude and      love.

10.       LOVE (Living On Vital Energy) is the source of our freedom.

11.       The decision to be in harmony with yourself and your physical world can happen instantly . . .  SATORI.

These principles are the foundation of Satori Lifestyle Coaching.  To learn about

this unique coaching program I invite you to visit my website at:  http://www.destinationsatori.com/. Once you register and login you can take a free lifestyle assessment under “Coaching.”

Peace and blessings to you this holiday season,

Carol

Turkey & Sweet Potato Enchiladas

Use up leftover turkey and sweet potatoes- a combo that makes for some seriously scrumptious enchiladas. I kid you not.

2 cups of your favorite salsa- spicy or mild
4 cups of cooked free-range organic turkey, hand torn or shredded
Juice from 1-2 fresh limes
Sea salt and ground pepper
2 cups cooked sweet potato
Pinch of cumin
2 4-oz. cans chopped roasted green chiles, drained
Light olive oil, as needed
12 corn tortillas
1 cup diced pineapple- no juice
1-2 cups shredded Jalapeño Jack cheese- or vegan Jack for non-dairy
Hot red pepper flakes, to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Pour about a half cup of salsa into the bottom a large lightly oiled 10x13" baking dish- or use two smaller pans for six enchiladas each.

Place the torn turkey pieces into a bowl and squeeze lime juice all over the cooked turkey; stir; season with sea salt and pepper and toss well.

Season the sweet potato with cumin, to taste. Add in 1 can of the roasted green chiles; mix. Add sea salt and pepper if it needs it.

Heat a dash of olive oil in a skillet, and heat one corn tortilla until softened, turning it over once to coat with oil.

Place the tortilla into the sauced baking dish. Add a spoonful of sweet potato down the center. Sprinkle with 1/12 of the turkey.

Roll up the enchilada- seam side down, and place it at the far end of the dish. Repeat for the remaining tortillas, adding more oil, if needed to soften them.

Pour the remaining salsa over the rolled tortillas. Top with the diced pineapple and the second can of roasted green chiles. Sprinkle with cheese and red pepper flakes. Bake in a 350 degree F. oven until the enchiladas are bubbling and heated through, about 30 minutes.
Serves 4 to 6.
Thank you Gluten Free Goddess, check out her blog!

In Thanks - giving.

The City Harvest food program collects perishable and non-perishable donated foods and distributes to over 70 community pantries and foodbanks serving low income families and the homeless throughout the Denver Metropolitan Area.  An estimated 40,000 individuals receive food provided through City Harvest Food Bank annually. Any agency eligible to receive food from Volunteers of America's City Harvest must be a certified non-profit.
To request an application to become a participating recipient or donor agency or business, call 303.297.0408 or contact the Division Director of Nutrition Services.
For all the services (and needs) of the Volunteers of America visit their website
http://www.voacolorado.org/
Thank you, Mary & Family.



Giving Thanks....and Giving Back

                                                                      I can truthfully say that this Thanksgiving I helped to prepare 2,000 holiday meals.   My family and I have a tradition of volunteering on Thanksgiving Day to help feed those who otherwise might not enjoy a special meal like the one we are fortunate to share with our loved ones on the holiday.   These meals are prepared and distributed to homebound elderly and to the homeless through the Volunteers of America organization.  My teenage daughter, my husband and I always feel somehow that we have gained as much from being a part of this small effort to share the goodwill and blessings of the day, as those who receive the meals.  I am grateful to know that in our communities there are many organizations and individuals who do good works like this every day, not just on Thanksgiving. 

I hope that on this Thanksgiving your spirit was nourished as well as your body,

Mary

New Arrivals

The Four Elements have added more Yoga Clothing, including a line of yoga totes that can accommodate a yoga mat. The tote is great for holiday travel, you can fill it with all the extras. We are adding new classes to our Yoga Schedule and gift certificates are available for all services and classes.
303-670-1180

Take a moment and breathe. Take a moment and pay attention to the beauty that surrounds us.

What Yoga has done for me.



“The most profound benefit of yoga and meditation for me has been a natural relaxing into my life. Obstacles are not so scary. I am more fluid, more curious, and at the same time more patient. I have more options for happiness because I don’t require specific conditions. It is a relief to discover that I can be happy even if the world doesn’t revolve around me or my agenda.” Cyndi Lee

Thanks and Giving

In this country, we devote one day a year to being grateful. We call it Thanksgiving. Why not devote a day each week to gratitude? It could be Sunday, or any day you choose to focus on strengthening this particular spiritual muscle. Give the day a theme like, "I am grateful for my body." Spend the day pampering your body with a leisurely walk in nature, enjoying delicious meals, listening to your favorite music, getting a massage, practicing yoga, buying fresh flowers, relaxing in a bath by candlelight, or any activity or non-activity that will make your body feel appreciated. You will find appreciation so uplifting you may want to make it the theme of every day of your life.

Expressing gratitude is not just saying thank you, it's giving back—to your family, friends, community and the world. It is the attitude that leads to unconditional love.  What you focus on expands. If you focus on what you're grateful for every day, you will see more of that in your life. Express gratitude for whatever you feel thankful for in each moment. There is always so much to be grateful for, even when everything isn't the way that you would like it to be. Simply by shifting your focus to being grateful is always a good way to be at peace in the present moment and feel good.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~  Carol

On Thanksgivng.

 “You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach

Live everyday in thanks-giving. The Four Elements

Autumn Pasta Frittata



With leftover brown rice spaghetti, there's only one fabulous thing to do. Whip up a quick and easy frittata. As luck would have it, we had some sun-dried tomatoes, Portobellos, and bell peppers.

Leftover cooked spaghetti - about a cup and a half to 2 cups [I used Tinkyada Brown Rice Spaghetti]
4 oz goat cheese, or other soft or shredded cheese
2 large portobello mushrooms, chopped
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, sliced thin
2 cloves garlic, minced
Olive oil
A goodly splash of balsamic vinegar
8 sun-dried tomatoes- soaked, drained, chopped
Sea Salt and ground pepper
5 large organic free-range eggs
1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
Red chile flakes, or dried basil and oregano, to taste
1-2 oz. shredded Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Arrange the cooked spaghetti in the bottom of a 9-inch greased pie plate. Scatter pieces of the goat cheese all over the pasta. In a medium skillet saute the mushrooms, bell pepper and garlic in a little olive oil over medium-high heat, till softened. Add a dash of balsamic vinegar and stir in the sun-dried tomatoes. Season with sea salt and ground pepper. When the veggies are tender, remove from heat.

In the meantime, whisk the eggs with the sour cream till smooth and frothy. Season to taste with spices and herbs. Add the cooked veggies to the pasta and cheese; arrange evenly over the top. Pour the egg mixture all over the pasta and veggies; and using a fork, shimmy the pasta a bit to allow the egg mixture to seep in and around. Sprinkle with extra red pepper flakes, basil, or your favorite seasoning. Sprinkle with the shredded cheddar cheese. Bake in a hot oven on a center rack for 35 minutes or so - until the frittata is set and golden brown. Use a thin knife to check the center for doneness, if you like. Allow the frittata to cool for ten minutes before serving (this makes it much easier to slice). It's also good cold, if you feel like making an easy dish for a romantic picnic under falling leaves. Makes 4 hearty servings. Serves 6 as a side dish.

Source: glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com