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.
Pre-Holiday Purge
Photo by: Minh Pham @minhphamdesign
Let it go! It’s the time of year to check some tasks off the perpetual to-do list, one of them being to declutter your home. Remove anything that is not serving a function or making you smile every time you enter your space. Simplify your home by only keeping what you use each day and of course sentimental heirloom pieces.
Things that stick around clogging up drawers and lying haphazardly on surfaces subconsciously triggers stress. Where there is stress there are communication issues, emotional shutdowns and even worse, dis-ease. Decluttering your home can save your life and relationships. If you want to enjoy your evenings and weekends, stop stepping on lego pieces or repurchasing misplaced items, then challenge yourself to a quick declutter fest to see if works for you.
Hey, you could even look at it like you’re making room for all the useful gifts you’ll be receive for the holidays.
Bonus points if you listen to the “Frozen” soundtrack. Just kidding, but twirling around like an ice princess can help make it more fun!
Weekend Design & Wellness Project
Photo by: Markus Winkler @markuswrinkler
Sharing natural skills and talents makes humans feel alive with a purpose. This weekend, share what comes natural to you, a recipe, a favor, a book, a kind gesture or something that could use a quick fix. Everyone has a skill or talent so dig deep and get to sharing!
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!
Holiday Tablescape
Setting the dinner table for holidays can be almost as daunting as planning, prepping and cooking the meal. This year, consider using items you already have around the house in new and innovative ways. Every concept starts with a vision/feel/vibe/theme and start visualizing your table. Make a list of the items you’d like to use such as a table runner, napkins, candlesticks, dishes, placemats, cutlery and a centerpiece. Next, walk around the house and pull items that look like they compliment the concept of your vision. This is a chance to reimagine and experiment with flipping flower pots of varying sizes upside down to create elevation for your centerpiece. Look for things with texture to ground the table and showcase the lighter items. If there are plants or flowers around the house consider if they will tie your tablescape together as a centerpiece or smaller accents. Keep an open mind and go outside for some natural elements to add such as branches, pine cones and evergreens. Lastly, if time permits, create custom place cards or a handwritten menu as a finishing touch. Enjoy creative tablescaping!
Photo by: Visual Stories II Micheile @micheile