quick post today, more of an update on where the direction of this blog will be going for the next 8 weeks…
now, those of you who have been following my blog for a while know that i like challenges. i like putting my diet to the test and seeing what i can accomplish with it- my transition to veganism was largely a result of myself wondering if i could do it! i’ve been doing lots of stress eating lately so I want to try and curb that and i also want to clean up my diet a bit before the christmas season. so even though i’m a few days late 'i’m going to be joining in on sarah wilson’s pre-christmas 8 week “i quit sugar” challenge.
this is actually a challenge i have done before, pre-blogging days and i found it so beneficial! i felt so much better getting of the sweet stuff, including reducing my fruit intake. my intake of vegetables and healthy fats went way up and i found new and interesting foods and snacks. i’m so excited to do it again!
if anyone would like to join me, please let me know in the comments! i would love to have someone to bounce ideas off of and let’s face it, it’s always more fun to do these things with someone! i know megan @ the detoxinista is participating, so join in, all the cool people are doing it ;)
now, i may post a few recipes coming up that have sugar in them since i have a few seasonal ones in the back-log but i will do my best to keep them to a minimum. you might even see a re-emergence of the “what i ate wednesday” style posts! after a good break from them i’m actually pretty excited to get back into it!
here’s to a fantastic 8 (well almost 7 weeks now) of delicious, healthy sugar-free eating!
Do you every feel like you’re fumbling around in the darkness that is life- not really sure where you’re going or what you’re doing, but just hoping that your decisions lead you somewhere positive, new and to a place of happiness?
Since I graduated from Queen’s just over 2 years ago, my life has felt much like this. Every decision I make is laced with uncertainty. One question and decision simply leads to another. Should I travel? Should I move across the ocean? Should I start a blog? Should I go back to school? In reality, all of these questions can be reduced down to a much more simple, or more complicated question, depending on how you look at it:
Should I test myself?
With the prospect of moving to a new city to pursue my passion looming before me, I am facing another personal test. To rise above the anxiety, fears and personal pressure and fully embrace this change.
All of my “personal tests” up until this point have had results that were so amazing, I can hardly imagine who I would be without them. By travelling I was exposed to new cultures and traditions and got to experience just what “living in the moment” meant.. When I moved to Ireland I gained a sense of independence and assurance in myself, confidence in my abilities to be self-reliant and well as self-respect. Starting this blog has allowed me to connect with so many fantastic bloggers and readers, that I no longer feel alone in my crazy little food world.
While all of these have been stunning successes, I can’t help but be wary of this move, of going back to school and revamping my life again. With every new decision and experience comes uncertainty and risk. I only hope I can find it in me dive in without reservations, so I can meet what’s coming to learn and grow.
In a large saucepan, saute the onion for a couple minutes in oil (I used coconut) until it is starting to become translucent. Add garlic and saute a couple minutes more. Add in the chickpeas and cook until onions are completely translucent and are beginning to brown.
Add in the tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Reduce the liquid by about 1/2. Cover and turn the heat down to a low simmer and keep cooking until most of the liquid is gone. Add in the spinach and cook until wilted, then stir in the ground cashews. Stir in the fresh herbs, add salt to taste. Serve immediately on top of small chunky pasta such as fusilli or penne.
Don't forget to come back tomorrow for Healthy Vegan Friday!
P.S. Sorry about the poor quality pictures- the lighting when I took them was terrible so i decided to play with some editing features
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.
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?
1 tbsp ground chia seeds mixed 3 tbsp water, set aside to let gel
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 tbsp coconut flakes (for texture, can omit)
1/2 tbsp coconut oil (for the heathy fats, can omit)
1 cup almond milk
1/2 of a small ripe banana, sliced thin
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 – 1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp vanilla
pinch salt
sweetener to taste, optional, I didn’t use
sliced strawberries
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.
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?
To be honest, as I write this I am not feeling my best. I got results from my doctor the other day and despite our best efforts, my iron levels have not improved, in fact they have gotten worse somehow and my B12 levels aren’t great either, despite taking supplements. He’s ordered a whole new panel of tests for me to get done because we’re clearly missing something. This is so frustrating especially since those silly iron supplements have been making my stomach upset for a month and a half. I have been doing everything right. I eat loads of greens, have given up coffee and take my supplements. It’s disheartening too because my doctor isn’t really asking me how I feel about anything or asking about my diet. All his messages are relayed through a nurse. To add to that he’s not able to see me again for more tests until the end of August. Until then he hasn’t given me any suggestions, I’m just supposed to sit here. I am a little lost as to what I’m supposed to be doing and feel like I’ve been hung out to dry. It’s like I’ve been slotted into a category which has a pre-determined, step-by-step process assigned to it, rather than being considered as the individual I am. We all have different lifestyles and bodies so shouldn’t approaches to health be more personalized? I know my health issues do not even come close to what many people have to deal with, but I can’t help but be a little disheartened. Have any of you experienced situations like this with your health and/or your doctor?
While my journey towards solving my energy and digestive issues has hit this hitch, I’m trying to remain positive! I’m going to continue seeking out dietary sources of iron (but I’m stopping those pills) and start taking regular digestive enzymes and probiotics. Clearly my body is having difficulty absorbing nutrients for some reason or another so I’m going to to support it best I can. I’ll also try and stay active, but honour how I’m feeling and take rest days as needed.
I’m also trying to keep optimistic and I’m hoping the power of positive thinking works wonders.
Oh Barney, so wise!
Listening to this adorable song has been helping loads too :)
Ok, that little vent is now OVER! No more wallowing in self-pity, I promise.
The real purpose of today’s post is to share with you a new smoothie recipe! Inspired by this Snappy Cucumber Mango Salad by Daily Bites, it packs quite the flavour punch!
This is definitely an interesting and intriguing smoothie, one that invites you to discover new components each time you sip! The ingredients list might seem a little out there compared to other fruit smoothies but I promise it totally works. The cilantro gives it an Indian-inspired flavour, the ginger adds a little kick and the cucumber and lime keep everything fresh!
In addition to having all sorts of crazy flavour, this is also incredibly detoxifying and will help aid digestion. Cilantro has a detox effect on the body where it binds to heavy metals like mercury and helps remove them from the body. It is also produces digestive enzymes and stimulates digestions through peristalsis (the movements and contractions of the stomach). Mango produces digestive enzymes as well and ginger is a great stomach soother.
I hope you all give this smoothie a chance! Coriander lovers only though ;)
