Askin’ them questions

Recipe: Granolie in the Raw

Can I ask you something so you can ask you something? Are you giving to yourself? Are you actually taking the time to listen to what it is your body needs or what your soul is craving? So often the only way we feel we give to ourselves (and meet our own needs) is via the food that we eat. What’s that? You want a peanut butter pumpkin oat bar (you too??!)? You want some chocolate? Well, since you aren’t going to give yourself what you REALLY want or need, sure, let’s load up the plate.

Now hold on a moment. Before you wolf down that plate of so-called comfort, let’s take a second to ask ourselves some more questions: “What do you really want/need?” And the next one, the juicy one, is “why aren’t you giving THAT to yourself instead?”

In the face of a gazillion obligations, it can be hard to justify taking time out for ourselves to do something that refuels us or makes our heart light up (or lighten up!) – but do you really need to justify it? I mean seriously, how did all of those things somehow get to be more important than YOU!? And, let’s say you think they are, well how productive are you going to be after you consume that plate of whatever that you are using to convince yourself that your needs are getting met? Uh huh. That’s what I thought.

So go there. Ask the questions of yourself. And ask them with love, and care, and a genuine desire to take care of yourself. Your soul is hungry for something. Dig a little deeper and find out what it is, and then engage in healthy self-indulgence — the kind that doesn’t come with shame, guilt, and remorse. Isn’t it time we started allowing ourselves our needs and stepping up to meet them?

You just be YOU

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Zucchini Pancakes

There’s something about fear and vulnerability that goes hand in hand. Whether our vulnerability comes in the form of disclosure or taking a risk by putting ourselves out there in another way, we don’t always know how others will react or what the outcome of our actions may be. The fear around that happens when we decide that someone else’s response or reaction is somehow a reflection on us. In other words, that it’s personal. And the fear comes from the “what if I am not accepted for who I am?” line of thinking. And don’t get me wrong, acceptance is a basic need. But if we allow the opinion of another so much weight in our lives, we give our power away to someone else: someone else gets to decide if we are worthy of love.

The bottom line is this: with any sort of vulnerability, there is usually fear. It can be scary to bare our hearts! But as you bare your heart in new territory, take a good look at your life as it is. Do the people in your inner circle love and accept you for who you are? If the answer is “YES” (and really, it ought to be) then you can take comfort in knowing that it’s possible! You ARE loveable, which means that the reaction of others is more about them than it is a statement about you. Be discerning in who you share yourself with, and if it feels right, LET GO. Be vulnerable. And then let it go. You are who you are, and that person not only has the courage to be vulnerable, but is likely inspiring others to open their hearts in much the same way.

Sat Nam.

Every vegan blogger has a post about pancakes. It’s just what we do. I suppose it was only a matter of time before my turn came around. For my premiere pancake post, I’d like to introduce you to chocolate meets zucchini meets buckwheat (meets Earth Balance and Maple Syrup, but alas, I get ahead of myself). The craving for chocolate zucchini cake has been maddening, and that was long before I bought a ginormous zuke from the local farmer’s market. I was having company for breakfast, so decided to see if the craving could be satisfied in pancake form. And let me tell you, it was!

Heart Health

Recipe: Hearty Breakfast Bean Bake

“Heart wise.” “Heart healthy.” “Heart smart” — just some of the various labels we see while strolling down the aisles of our local grocery store. Taking care of your cardiovascular health seems to the “the” thing to do! If we eat the right things (buy the “heart smart” labelled products) and exercise, we should be good, right?

When a dear friend recently said to me, “take care of your heart,” I didn’t rush out and buy whole grain crackers or  low sodium Campbell’s soup. Instead, I was instantly connected to that inner wellspring of  love, forgiveness, and compassion. I was suddenly aware of the strength, but also the divine fragility, of this beautiful center. That it too needed tenderness. That it is ours to cherish, and ours to nurture.

How are we caring for our heart emotionally? Or, in other words, how are we directing love, forgiveness and compassion to our self? If we have opened our heart and been hurt, how are we tending to that hurt?

Make some deposits back into this prescious, infinite source of love and wisdom, and keep the energy flowing. Be kind, always.

This is a breakfast dish. Hearty, savoury and filling. Full of  the flavours that only time can adequately cultivate. That said, be sure to set aside some time for this dish, as the slow roasting will really make this dish hit home. If you’re a morning person like me, this shouldn’t be a problem. A medley of roasted vegetables, breadcrumbs, and marinated white beans will set the world right….before you even leave the house! 

Apple Cinnamon Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bliss

Honestly, I can’t believe I haven’t made the following recipe public until now. I think because it feels like something this good should just be common knowledge. Meanwhile, I’ve been having this for breakfast every day, not thinking twice that other people out there may not be having the same incredible morning experience as I. How selfish of me! But first, a few disclaimers:

1. Peanut Butter Alert!! If you are not the type of person who can eat peanut butter off a spoon, than this recipe is likely not for you.
2. If you are one of those non-morning, breakfast-skipping, “my-stomach-just-isn’t-hungry in the morning”, people, then this recipe is likely not for you. Or just have less and call it a day.

If you are still here – read on and be satisfied my friend.

I love feeling full in the morning, as though I’ve loaded myself up with good fuel for the day. As I mentioned before, I’m off the meat, wheat and dairy trains and by now you must be wondering, “Well, how does this girl get around then?” I assure you, train is not the only form of travel. Introducing: Apple Cinnamon Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bliss (chuga chuga chuga chuga toot toooot!).

Apple Cinnamon Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bliss

This recipe makes about 4-5 servings, and I usually make a pot to last the week.

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup water, add more as needed depending on your preferred consistency

1 tsp cinnamon

1 apple, chopped

2 tbsp raisins

Cook the above (except the raisins) in a pot on medium heat for 4 minutes, stirring every so often to make sure the oatmeal isn’t sticking to the bottom of the pot. Add raisins, cook for another minute, and then remove from heat.

Now, the following is done on a bowl-by-bowl basis.

1-2 tbsp salted natural peanut butter

1-2 tbsp brown sugar or agave syrup (as you like, to taste)

½ cup of soy or almond milk

Dish out a serving of the oatmeal and cover with the above. Welcome to indulgent, “can-breakfast-really-be-this-good” bliss!

Try mixing it up a bit by using almond instead of peanut butter, cranberries instead of raisins, or banana instead of apple. Enjoy!

BRY