Visualization

When I was in grade school one of my teachers told me " if you can see it, you can be it", not in those exact words.  She took me outside before an important Speech and Drama meet and explained that if I felt positive about my performance and could visualize the crowd laughing and enjoying my skit that it would happen.  You know what? Mrs. Brooks was right!  Even at a young age I understood the power of positive thinking and visualization.  Before soccer/softball games I had dreams of our team winning.  As I got older and started my journey into solo sports, I went to bed dreaming of crossing finish lines, not necessarily taking a podium spot.

Fast forward, several decades, and I am doing the same thing.  I am not cut from the competitive cloth which causes me to dream of podiums. So, I DREAM OF FINISH LINES! I enjoy beating myself, my previous times, more than other people.  That could be the reason why I am able to love what I do even if I am not the fastest or the strongest. Beating myself puts a huge smile on my face.

Visualization very simply means to form a mental image of  (something incapable of being viewed or not at that moment visible).  


I believe in the power of visualization.  I believe if you see yourself being successful you will be successful.  I also believe that if I lack self confidence it causes a negative reaction.  How can I expect to complete something if I don't believe I can?  That would be setting myself up for failure, why would I do that?

If you think about what you want, what you want to achieve, try playing it out in your mind.  What do you need physically, emotinally to get there? Once you emmerse yourself in the goal and the idea that you can make it happen, there is no turning back.  You will embark on a joureny and you will not be the same person at the end.  You will be a stronger version of you and ready to take on the next challenge.

I have been using my visualization technique all week as I get ready to ride my bike on 200plus miles of gravel in Kansas this weekend, Sat. June 1st.  Sounds crazy huh?  Well, it is!  I crossed the finish line last year in 19hours.  I have worked my tail off and am expecting a better finishing time.  I am visualizing about 17 hours, that is having a PERFECT day.  I will be happy with anything less then 19hrs though.  I will still have beaten myself and can be happy with that.

What are you going to visualize? A 5k, a 10K, a half marathon, a full marathon?  Remember.... IF you can see it you can be it!

Black Bean Brownies

Don't judge them by the name.  Try them, try them and you will see what a healthy alternative to store boxed brownies can be.  They are quite delicious and no one will know there are black beans in the mix unless you tell them.  Just make two batches, you will regret it if you don't.

Black beans are awesome. They help reduce your blood cholesterol, maintain normal blood sugars, and prevent constipation.  One cup of beans is 227 calories, 15g of protein, 41g carbs, and 15g of fiber.  NOTE:  There is no signifigant difference in nutritional value between canned or dry beans.  However, the sodium content is higher in the canned beans due to salt added during cooking and processing.

I got this recipe here.  Check the blog out while you are there. I made a couple substitutions. I used half sugar/half honey and used butter instead of the vegetable oil.  If you are in the mood to experiment... try adding a banana or peanut butter. I used a blender, it was quick and easy.

Extra chips added to the mix

Would love to hear your feedback.  My kids love them, they have no idea I used black beans. Enjoy!

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total

30 mins

 

Type: Dessert

Serves: 9

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained (15½ oz)
• 2 eggs
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup and 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ⅛ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on low until all ingredients are well blended (there should not be any whole black beans in the batter!).
3. Lightly grease an 8×8 baking dish and pour batter inside.
4. Top with chocolate chips or nuts if desired.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean after inserting in the center.
6. Cool for 30 minutes before cutting and serving (otherwise they will fall apart).

Makes 9 brownies