Hope isn’t knowing things will turn out all right. Hope isn’t an unshakeable belief that everything is right in the world or a worldview that is all sunshine and butterflies.
I don’t usually write posts like this. I don’t feel like I am a good enough writer to tackle some of the more philosophical or thoughtful topics. But when the amazing Cara at Fork and Beans tagged me in this Hope Blog Relay, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to dip my toes in the water and see where my stream of thought takes me. Topic to consider: hope.
Life is full of twists and turns that are unexpected and unexplained. It can throw us for a loop and leave us gasping for breath. Change, especially forced change can be terrifying- it’s unanticipated and not optional. It would be so easy to get bogged down in the negative.
To me, hope is embracing change and utilizing it to bring out a positive outcome. I wouldn’t be the person I was today if life hadn’t challenged me to rise up against difficult times. Change puts you to the test! It forces you to look at yourself and find the the qualities that will help you through and then bring them to the forefront! We can sink into a glass half-empty perspective and accept what life has given us, or rise up and create goodness and light! Hope is believing in your abilities to achieve this difficult task and knowing that while life may not be exactly what you envisioned it to be, it’s still pretty great because it has made you the person you are. Which is awesome if you ask me.
Thank you Cara for tagging me and forcing me out of my comfort zone!
Many bloggers have been tagged already but I’m very curious to hear what these ladies have to say (although of course there is no pressure here):
Ann @ An Unrefined Vegan
Nicole @ Cauldrons and Cupcakes
Lou @ fridge scrapings
Heather @ Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes
Raechel @ the rebel grrl kitchen
Sarah @ This is What I Eat
Sara @ my less serious life
Please feel free to comment below with your thoughts!
And what better way to look at life with fresh new perspective than to start with a delicious breakfast that will nourish your tummy and soul. I was planning on posting a different recipe today, but this just seemed to fit with the topic of the day :). This coconut oatmeal was inspired by Katie’s paleo version. It is warm, comforting, and highlights the beautiful thing that is strawberries in summer.
Not only does it taste great, but it’s full of fiber, vegan and grain-free. Hard to argue with that right?
Creamy Spiced Strawberry Coconut “Oatmeal” (Vegan, Gluten-free, Sugar-free)
Adapted from this recipe. Serves 1.
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1 tbsp ground chia seeds mixed 3 tbsp water, set aside to let gel
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1/4 cup coconut flour
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1/2 tbsp coconut flakes (for texture, can omit)
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1/2 tbsp coconut oil (for the heathy fats, can omit)
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1 cup almond milk
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1/2 of a small ripe banana, sliced thin
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1/2 tsp cinnamon
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1/8 – 1/4 tsp ground ginger
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1/2 tsp vanilla
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pinch salt
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sweetener to taste, optional, I didn’t use
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sliced strawberries
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liquid sweetener such as maple syrup, agave or coconut nectar, optional
Put the coconut flour, flakes, almond milk and banana in a small saucepan and heat over medium until the banana slices melt into a creamy texture, full incorporated with the milk, stirring frequently (a few minutes).
Add in the chia gel, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, salt and sweetener if using. and continue cooking until you get a porridge-like texture, stirring constantly. Make sure you stop while it’s still creamy- you don’t want it to get dry!
Top with sliced strawberries and drizzle maple syrup, agave or coconut nectar to serve.
I'm submitting this recipe to Wellness Weekends!
Before I go, I'd just like to share 2 videos with you all:
This one was shared by Raechel on her blog and was just so full of good ideas I had to share it. It's about the connection between veganism and yoga. I completely relate to the idea of ahisma (non-harming) and it is the main reason I eat plant-based.
This next one is just a funny video that I found in the sidebar when I was watching the above video :) In particular I like the tummy thing she does in the beginning (called Nauli, I'm trying to learn since it's good for digestion) and the almonds.
I feel like I want to start sharing more articles and videos I find interesting here on the blog.
What do you guys think? Would you be interested in that?
What did you think about my non-food, thoughtful musings at the beginning?
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
This looks amazing! :) Its always good to get out of our comfort zones, I need to do that more often with my cooking :) My name is Cindy and I blog over at Vegetarianmamma.com I wanted to invite you to link up your recipe at our Gluten Free Fridays Recipe Link up party! It happens every Friday and we’d love to have you join us with some of your awesome recipes! You can find this week’s link up here: http://vegetarianmamma.com/gluten-free-friday-recipe-link-up-1/
Thanks, Cindy
Hey Cindy, I would love to link-up to that event. Thanks so much for inviting me :)
In return, I’d like to invite you to like up to Healthy Vegan Fridays, found right here! Just check out my most recent post. We’d love to have you!
Done, just submitted :) Happy to connect! :) Cindy
Love your thoughts on hope and life, Gabby!! Beautiful :-)
Loved your summary on Hope- beautifully done Gabby and I am so honored to be selected!
This “oatmeal” looks amazing, I can’t wait to try this out as you have never steered me wrong :)
Love the videos, pretty cool!
delicious oatmeal. great thoughts and a fun vid.:)
So glad you liked the post Richa :)
Being forced out of your comfort zone is such a great gift, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment. This was such a great post, and I think you did a fabulous job stepping out of your comfort zone.
Lovely oatmeal too! Strawberries scream summer for me! :-)
Thank you Kristy! I am so thankful to bloggers for challenging me on a daily basis- not all challenges are as obvious as this one, but everyone’s creativity and ideas always push me to be better and go beyond my comfort zone, I love it!
The strawberries look so luscious!! The coconut ‘oatmeal’ sounds delicious. :)
Thank you :) it’s a great substitute for oatmeal that’s for sure!
Oh I will definitely write some thoughts on this, Gabby – thanks for the tag!
LOVE those videos…. ha the belly thing is classic, my girlfriend can do that and it creeps me out ;)
Coconut flour has been a SAVIOUR in this ridding-candida-diet….. it’s good for getting a bit of volume in, huh? I’ve been mixing mine with carob, mesquite, protein powder, almond milk and stevia…. GOOD :) Your recipe sounds YUM YUM YUM…. I miss fruit :(
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts :)
Haha I find it so impressive when people can do that stomach thing- I just don’t have the control yet!
Oohh your breakfast sounds so good! I’m going to need to try that. I miss fruit too :( although I actually find it is getting easier, just need to find some really tasty alternatives for breakfast and dessert and we’ll be set! I need to work on my main meals too- It’s getting very repetitive for me lol
Blogs definitely grow along with you, so feel free to experiment with your writing as well as kitchen foibles. Since I already love your blog, it makes sense that I would find your links and videos interesting, too! :-)
Thank you Janet, that’s so sweet of you :) My blog has already changed a lot since I first started as I gain confidence and much if that has been gained through wonderful people such as yourself!
YES! I love seeing articles and things that fellow-bloggers find interesting, so I’d love to see more of that. And musings on life are always welcome! That breakfast looks pretty amazing too. All up, I’d say it was a perfect post. :-)
Thanks Bex! I’m glad you enjoyed the links and my musings- it’s always a little nerve-wracking to go beyond your comfort zone, so I appreciate it :)
Gorgeous post :) Funny, I’ve been making a coconut flour porridge for yonks, but never thought to blog it! It’s just one of those simple things I always eat and never think about :P
Thank you Hannah :)
Wow, this was one of the first times I’d ever heard of it! You are clearly way more in the know than I am lol
I loved your post! I couldn’t agree more about hope & embracing change. It’s a beautiful thing. :)
Thank you Alaine :) It’s such an important thing to remember!
That oatmeal is calling my name! It looks exactly like regular oatmeal lol. I love all the “shit people say” videos. I admit Ive watched a lot of them. Would be great to see more insights and hopeful thoughts on your blog :)
I know, I was so surprised by how it looked when finished- the trick is the chia!
I love those videos too, they’re just so true!
Thanks Heather :)
Did you get my little email? :)
Just replied to it :)
Great post! And wow, coconut ‘oatmeal’ is spreading like wildfire – it must be amazing to be catching on so fast! I’ll have to try it :)
Haha it really is isn’t it! It’s an awesome alternative to oatmeal and so filling!
What a beautiful post Gabby! I don’t think you give yourself enough credit, you are an excellent writer and your post definitely shows that. I love your thoughts on hope and thank you so much for tagging me! I find these posts to be a challenge too so it’ll be nice to tackle it as well :)
The strawberry coconut oatmeal sounds absolutely spectacular! I really can’t wait to try it! Yum! I’m adding coconut flour to my shopping list for sure ;)
Have a great night!
Thank you Sarah :) This kind of writing is just so beyond my comfort zone- I’m used to writing scientific papers! lol. I really appreciate you saying that though- makes me feel like I could write more posts like this! I can’t wait to see what you write :)
Coconut flour is amazing- so full of fibre, adds sweetness without sugar and gives things great texture!
Have a good night yourself!
what a beautiful post Gabby! i love your outlook on hope. that is so true – embracing change. I needed to hear this today:) and love your grain free oatmeal — totally trying that soon! have a great weekend!
Thank you Caralyn! I’m glad I could help, hope everything’s okay!
Let me know how you like it if you try it!
Thanks for picking up the baton! It seems to be a challenge for a lot of writers in HOPE 2012, but I think one that is serving us all well. Beautiful contribution, and so fun to see some food bloggers in the mix! Thanks again!
Thank Melanie! It was such a fun challenge to take up! I am planning on back tracking in the relay to see what everyone else wrote. It’s such a great topic that has so many possibilities I think everyone could offer a good and different perspective!
That looks delicious I love hot cereal the kids will love it.
Thank you! I hope they do :)
Thank you Micha, your support is much appreciated! Your potato salad looks so tasty, I’m not surpised it was a top entry! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us this week :)
What incredibly creamy oatmeal! It looks so comforting, like something I’d want to save for a rainy, dreary day. A bowlful would definitely brighten any gloomy mood. :)
Thank you Hannah :) you’re right a creamy bowl of goodness is just the cure for a rainy day- add a mug of tea and it’s perfection!
I love your blog post today! Sometimes just doing a little personal reflection instead of the usual food talk can be a good thing for the soul. Although I certainly enjoy the “food talk” too, I also enjoy hearing what you have to say about life too!
I can relate to you saying how we should embrace change and that, even though life may not turn out like we envisioned, it is still good because that’s what makes us who we are. I know my life has done a complete 180 from what I ever imagined and, even though I’m still working on embracing these obstacles, in the end, it is making me a stronger person and will make me a much better person. Only faced with adversity and challenges is when we can find our true selves and really learn what our capabilities are.
Thank you Shelby! It was a bit of a step talking about stuff other than food but it actually felt really good! I completely agree with what you said too- I’m so glad every bit of adversity has happened in my life because I love who I am now so much more than I did :) I’m glad you are finding the same thing because you’re pretty awesome!
Wonderful post, Gabby! I totally agree with you that change makes us the people we are, and I am totally grateful for changes that, at the time, I felt were “the end of the world.” Thanks for tagging me! I will get to work on this in the next few days…. : )
And I started Friday Fives because I love reading other bloggers link-love, so I definitely think you should hop on that train. : )
Also, YUMMY looking recipe! (as always)
Raechel you are so lovely- I’m glad you enjoyed the post and my idea to start having some more link love posts :) I read so many amazing posts everyday, I think its time to share my finds!
And thank you!
Gabby, it’s wonderful that you went outside your blogging/writing comfort zone – feels good, doesn’t it ;-). It’s scary, too, for sure – but if we didn’t all want to share and get to know each other, we wouldn’t be blogging and commenting – so keep the posts coming, girl! Hope has been on my mind a lot lately. Thank you for tagging me; it really kind of amazes me that you did. It will take some major cogitating on my part to get the words right, but I’ll try. xoxo
Thanks Annie :) you put that so well and you’re so right! Sometimes my favourite posts from others don’t have recipes but where I get to learn about them! And of course I tagged you- you have such beautiful ideas I’m so interested in your perspective. Sounds like it was a very timely tag!
Have a great weekend my dear!
I think your philosophical blogging is simply perfect my friend :)
Thank you for such a beautiful read!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks Uru, you’re so kind :) have a lovely weekend!
Aww that was so beautiful what you wrote about hope and really inspired me. Yes I’d love to hear your thoughts on everything! Not just food related stuff. I love the look of that oatmeal. Yum! I love the idea of sharing things from other blogs. I was just thinking the very same thought myself!
Awww thanks Katherine :) I was so nervous to post it, weirdly enough so I’m glad you enjoyed it :)
hey thanks for the tag! i’ll saving my musings for the post. :)
I look forawrd to it :)