Feel Like Royalty

Photo by: Ian Murphy @ianmurphy

Have you ever had a moment when you’re sitting in your in your home and happen to glance around and are filled with a sense that you feel so abundant? Chances are, you have a roof over your head, clothing in your closet, shoes for your feet, plenty of food in the pantry and even a car to get you to work or anywhere you’d like to go. Now, those specific items my not be the most expensive, top-of-the-line, couture material possessions, but if you scrap the labels, you have more than you need to survive.

Personal story, when I lived in San Diego, my apartment was under 500 square feet, but in my favorite neighborhood. The location and proximity to what I needed made up for the lack of space. One day after cleaning my tiny abode, I laid on my “sofa” (it was actually patio furniture since I couldn't fit even a small loveseat) when I had a sense of overwhelming abundance come over me. I thought I was delirious for a moment, but I kept looking around my apartment with awe as if I were in Versailles. I felt like the wealthiest queen in all the land. It was such a great feeling, my abundance and gratitude exceeded the confines of my walls. That strange feeling came over me quite often after that. Now, it is easy for me, no mater where I live to feel the same limitlessness. I have realized that it’s how I perceive the space around me and I am perpetually grateful for my life, its phases and many experiences.

Now, it’s your turn and the challenge is to sit or walk around your home and really take in all the details of your home and personal items. Think of how hard you have worked for each and every piece that makes up your life, family and home. Allow yourself to feel proud of what you have overcome throughout your life. It doesn’t matter if you’re not where you want to be, you don’t need to get “there” in order to be content right now. Enjoy this very moment.

Vegan Holiday Recipes

tina natalini Nov 28, 2019 3 min read

Enjoy these delicious and simple no sugar added vegan recipes perfect for holidays and family gatherings.

Much gratitude to all of these talented creators of these recipes.

EASY VEGAN STUFFING: www.karissasvegankitchen.com/easy-vegan-stuffing/

INGREDIENTS:

8 cups bread crumbs

2 tbsp vegan butter or oil

1 yellow onion chopped

3 celery stalks chopped

4 cloves of garlic chopped

1 tsp dried sage

1/2 tsp dried thyme

salt & pepper to taste

2-3 cups vegetable stock

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place the cubes bread onto baking sheets and toast in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 stirring/flipping halfway.

2. In the meantime, sauté the celery and onion in the vegan butter until the onion is translucent. Add in the garlic, sage and thyme and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.

3. In a large dish, mix together the toasted bread and the sauté mixture.

4. Add the vegetable stock until the bread is just saturated - not too wet and not dry.

5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden and crunchy. Serve warm!

VEGAN GRAVY

https://shaneandsimple.com/easy-vegan-brown-gravy/

INGREDIENT:

1/4 cup + 1 tbsp. whole wheat flour (*I used Bob’s Red Mill Tapioca flour which is gluten-free)

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1 1/2 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. rosemary

1/8 tsp. thyme

2 cups low sodium vegetable broth

2 tbsp. low sodium tamari or soy sauce (*I used amino acids which is a better alternative at 90mg/tsp)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Pre-heat medium sized sauce pan on medium high heat.

2. Add all dry ingredients to sauce pan and whisk for about 30 seconds.

3. Whisk in veggie broth and soy sauce until all ingredients are well combined.

4. Lower heat to medium and bring to a boil.

5. Reduce heat once more to low, let simmer and whisk to thicken.

6. Remove gravy once it reaches desired consistency.

TOFURKEY DELI SLICES

Place slices in gravy on low temperature until ready to plate.

VEGAN MASHED POTATOES

To make vegan use coconut milk and Balance Vegan Butter https://www.earthbalancenatural.com/baking-sticks/vegan-buttery-sticks

GLAZED PURPLE SWEET POTATOES

This is my freestyle recipe after tasting a purple sweet potato for the first time. It reminded me of my childhood Thanksgivings with the candied sugary sweet potatoes. The purple sweet potatoes have a natural mild molasses-like flavor and I knew I had a perfect match for creating the glaze.

First, boil the purple sweet potato(s) along with regular sweet potatoes leaving them slightly firm on the inside. They will later be baked in the oven and will reach their desired texture when complete.

GLAZE: SUGAR-FREE SIMPLE SYRUP

1. Cut one half of the of the potato and blend it with 1/4 cup of water

2. Then bring 1 cup of water & 1 cup of monkfruit to a boil. (Monkfruit can be found on amazon, Whole Foods, and sometimes at Marshalls and TJ Max)

3. Add the blended potato to the sugar-free simple syrup

4. Add Tapioca flour 1 tsp at a time to desired thickness. (I use Bob’s Red Mill Tapioca Flour)

5. Cut the remaining potatoes into chunks and spread in baking dish.

6. Pour glaze over potatoes

7. Cook at 400 degree for 20-30 minutes

8. Stir halfway through baking.

NO SUGAR ADDED CRANBERRY SAUCE

1. Bring 1 cup of water and 1 cup of monkfruit to a boil.

2. Add 1 & 1/4 bag of whole cranberries

3. Cover and reduce heat

4. Cranberries will start to pop and the sauce will thicken.

5. Remove from heat and let stand until cooled

(These instructions are on most bags of cranberries)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Weekend Design & Wellness Project

Photo by: Jon Tyson @jontyson

Choose a moment this weekend to share a personal story with someone about a kind gesture another person bestowed upon you.

This can be brought up in a casual conversation starting like, “Did I ever tell you the time when ______ did _______ for me and it how grateful I’m whenever I think of that time?” Chances are the person you share your story with will be reminded of one of their’s to share.

The purpose of this exercise is to recall a moment of unexpected abundance that you experienced to keep your mind in an open state of receiving. This mindset attracts even more greatness into you already beautiful life. If you’re struggling with receiving, repeat “I am worthy, I am worthy, I am worthy,” throughout the weekend. Eventually you’ll believe it so stick with it especially because it’s challenging. Happy abundant, grateful, weekend of receiving!

Grateful for My...

Photo by: Gabrielle Henderson @gabriellefaithhenderson

Has a stranger ever asked you why you were so happy? Well, that happened to me this week. I smiled at a gentleman and he asked what I was so happy about, and I blurted out, “I’m alive!” I truly am grateful each and everyday for my beautiful life from my family, friends, home, bed, water, food to my hair, health, fingernails and any minor ache and pain because it’s all part of my human experience. Time goes by so fast so that I take as many mental snapshots of moments. In the morning, no matter what grizzly beast is starring back at me, I grit my teeth and say, “I love you…no matter what.” Self love is a windy road with plenty of potholes, so I have chosen to throw up my hands and say “weee,” going over them to bring a bit of lighthearted silliness to a seemingly rough day.

What are you grateful for in your life? Think about all of the conveniences that allow you to enjoy your life, the people who teach you lessons, those who make you laugh and the health and psychical abilities you have in this moment. You may be surprised at how abundant your life truly has been.