Welcome! This is a way for me to share about my experiences as they relate to myself, family, health, compassionate cooking, baking and yoga. Enjoy!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Press Pause

Our lives are so busy and overflowing.  There are times when we are so consumed by what we are doing or need to do, that we could be looking right at someone but don't actually see them.  I have done this myself, then something clicks and I realize they are waving at me and looking as if to say, "what is your problem, why won't you acknowledge me."  Understandably, life seems to be on fast forward, wouldn't it be nice if we could just press the pause button?  The next time you catch yourself moving on auto-pilot, consciously bring yourself back to the present. Take a few minutes to do some full inhales and exhales.  Then prioritize what needs done and try to accomplish those tasks in the most efficient manner without stressing over every detail.  Little things like, the kids left some toys out or feeling you don't have time to read a book with your child because the dishwasher needs emptied, probably don't really have to be done right then.  If all those tasks don't get done that day, pause to ask yourself, "will I be okay if it doesn't all get done right now?"  I guarantee that most of the time, the answer will be "yes, I will be okay, life will go on."   

Friday, September 23, 2011

Panda Cupcakes

It was my oldest child's birthday the other day and this year she wanted panda cupcakes (last year was polar bear).  The panda cupcakes were much easier than the polar bear ones.  For the cupcake, I modified the Golden Vanilla Cupcake recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World.  I made one batch of regular size cupcakes for the body and one batch of mini cupcakes for the head.  I used coconut milk instead of soy and added 1 cup of broken up Golden Oreos.  For the icing, I used the Vegan Fluffy Buttermilk Frosting from the same cookbook.  For the ears, I used chocolate o's cereral from Cascadian Farms and dipped them in melted vegan chocolate.  I also used the melted chocolate for the background of the eyes and mouth.  Mini chocolate chips were used for the eyes and nose.  It was fun and she (and her sisters) enjoyed them.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Taking Action

Finding something you firmly believe in and then putting energy towards that cause or belief is so rewarding.  It's easy to say we believe in this or that or follow this religion or custom, but to actually go beyond words and put that into positive action is the key.  Everyone is busy and I could find a million reasons not to have any time to put towards a goal that I feel is important, but then what positive changes and actions have I done with my life?  Life isn't just about what can I do for me or what will I get from doing this.  People are always looking for those material paybacks.  In reality, you really are getting something from any positive action you create.  It's like a gift you feel inside, indescribable until you experience that selfless giving.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Vegan Oreo Cake

This cake is soooooo good.  I took the recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World.  I used the Your Basic Chocolate Cupcake recipe (page 37), used the cookies and cream variation and then put it in a 8X8 pan.  Cooking time will be different since it's a cake.  I did 25 minutes and then checked it with a toothpick.  The icing is from the Vegan Fluffy Buttercream Frosting recipe (page 142), again, with the cookies and cream variation.  I finished it by cutting Oreo's in half and placing them around the cake.  Words cannot even describe how good this cake is.

Friday, September 2, 2011

True Gratitude

How often do we feel true gratitude?  Saying thank you to people is courteous, but I am talking about feeling the gratitude.  Being grateful and feeling blessed goes much deeper than speaking words to others.    We can also look outside of ourselves to find appreciation in everything around us and for everyone that touches our lives.  By this I mean look up at the sky, at the moon, at the stars, at the birds and trees, I think you get what I'm saying.  Try doing this at least once a day (preferably not while driving:) and you will realize how much you have taken everything and everyone around you for granted.  You will begin to realize how amazing it all is.  Start saying "thank you" out loud, but to no one in general, for all that you have been blessed with.   In doing this, you will begin to see what feeling the gratitude means rather than just being courteous.  Make a list (mental or written) of what you are grateful for and go through your personal thank you's everyday.  I say my thank you's daily for each of my children, for my husband, for this life, for each of my animals, for the universe, etc.  Your list can be one thing or 50 things, it's up to you to determine what you are truly grateful for.  There are no rules to follow, nothing is set in stone and your list may change daily.  The important thing to remember is to start feeling grateful rather than just offering a reflex word.