Indulgence……

The draw to write has been so strong these past few weeks however obligations have veered me down another path.

In keeping with Darek’s tradition of taking the boys to Calgary on March Break, I felt it important to make the journey with them myself. As I was confronted with the sights and sounds of the city my anxiety level increased 100 fold. It was another piece of moving forward as the three of us. That moment when you are faced with unexpected pain and memories which overwhelm your soul and you fight to breathe.

You cannot stop the waves, however you can learn to surf

Jon Kabat-Zinn

With the constant hum of traffic and people going on about their lives without stopping to take in the snow on the mountains or acknowledge a door held or a smile given, a feeling of gratuity to live in the Valley washed over me.

When entering a Shopping Center I was overcome with a barrage of sensory stimulation and  fought to stay grounded as I no longer require material items to fill me up. The constant barrage of images and sale signs were intoxicating however and then suddenly I am enticed into old patterns of behavior.

What are your behavior patterns?

How do you respond to a stressful situation?

It is all in the awareness, what do you indulge in?

  • food
  • alcohol
  • shopping
  • spending
  • constant complaining
  • pleasing others and losing yourself

We live in a society where excess surrounds us with images of what beauty looks like, what wealth looks like and all in the pursuit of the ever illusive “happiness”. More material items do not fill you up and guarantee happiness. It comes from within and it takes constant self care and awareness to stay true to yourself and hold the monkeys in your mind from spilling out and taking over.

I can say from personal experience that trying to fill up on material items in the pursuit of happiness will lead to the opposite. The high of something new quickly turned to buyers remorse. Today these quick fix material items have been given away, replaced by experiences.

Less truly is more.

As I mindfully walk through a day these are a few of the small gifts for which I am grateful.

  • Fresh green onion in the garden
  • The new flowers bursting through the earth
  • The smell of a campfire
  • The cushion softness of the moss on the forest floor
  • The light and shadow effect of the sun
  • The heat of sand under foot
  • The piercing cold on skin in the lake
  • The droplet patterns on the lake as I paddle
  • The call of the geese
  • The sound of the paddle as it dip and surfaces in the water
  • The wind patterns on the lake
  • The sparkle as the sun hits the rocks
  • The sound of rhythmic breathing
  • The joy of being completely alone
  • The exhilaration of running down a forest path
  • The warmth of a hug
  • The heart swell as the boys say thank you
  • The release after a tear pools in your eye and suddenly flows down your cheek

Final Thought…..

What would the world look like if we all just slowed down? We are here for such a short time, what legacy do you wish to leave?

Now food indulgence I know about. Here is a recipe for my birthday carrot cake.

CARROT CAKE

Ingredients

  • 5 peeled and shredded Carrots
  • 1 cup Pure Maple Syrup
  • 3/4 cup sifted Coconut Flour
  • 1 Tbsp ground Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt
  • 10 Pastured Eggs
  • 10 Dates (Medjool)
  • 1 Tbsp Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup melted Organic Coconut Oil
  • 1 cup chopped Organic Walnuts
  • 1 cup Coconut Milk, solidified on fridge overnight

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F
  2. Shred carrots scoop into ziplock bag
  3. Add maple syrup syrup
  4. Marinate in fridge for an hour
  5. Sift coconut flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda together
  6. Chop dates into small pieces
  7. Blend eggs, vanilla, melted coconut oil, and dates
  8. Add dry ingredients to wet
  9. Drain maple syrup from the carrots using a colander
  10. Add carrots to batter
  11. Grease cake pan and line with parchment paper
  12. Bake for 35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean

Icing

  1. Spoon coconut milk into bowl
  2. Whip on high speed for 3-4 minutes
  3. Fold in 1 Tbsp maple syrup
  4. Pour over cake
  5. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts

This is the best carrot cake I have ever indulged in. It is also a great cupcake recipe just reduce the baking time to 20- 25 minutes.

 

Blessing and Much Aloha!

 

 

 

 

 

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