I had really great intentions for February. It was to be a strict cleansing month – eating clean & avoiding all the not-so-good-for-me indulgences I otherwise enjoy. I also intended to be extremely productive & get substantial work done. How does that saying go? The road to hell is paved with good intentions…
Well, let’s just say it hasn’t gone like I thought it would. I drank ample coffee & some beer. And even ate Kraft mac & cheese and like five pastries on Valentine’s Day. I felt guilty & fraudulent about my slip ups because I’m aiming to truly embody the cleanse course I’m creating. Maybe it was self-sabotage. Or maybe it was for the very purpose of truly knowing how fucking difficult it can be to alter engrained habits & give up instant gratifications. Or to simply say “no”. It can be challenging to fully commit to healing & nurturing oneself, especially without support.
I found a healthy middle ground to begin (again) with – an approach I encourage in the BodyMindSoul Cleanse. It feels like an empowered decision to begin cutting out a few items like caffeine, processed foods, alcohol, or sugar & add in more water, more plants, more healthy rituals, and more intuitive choices. And keep progressing from there. This creates a truly sustainable foundation to build upon long term & not just a crash diet to keep in a yo-yo pattern.
“In every perceived failure or setback is the seed of success.”
– Deepak Chopra
It’s okay to let the healing journey unfold organically. Not by force or gripping to some ideal of our “shoulds”. But simply doing a little bit better, a little more of what’s truly nourishing every day. With less effort & more surrender. Because it’s only hard when we fight against ourselves. Accept that it’s not ever going to be perfect. There will be slip ups & loss of motivation & forgetting why we want this – and again, that’s so much more than okay. It’s our unique pathway to success.
So here’s to today’s middle ground:
eating all the flatbread & falafel,
connecting with loved ones, nature & my writing ritual,
and doing so with an intention to nourish my body, mind & soul.
Golden Flaky Flatbread
servings: 4 large/6 small pieces
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup spelt or whole wheat flour
pinch of good quality salt
1 tsp turmeric
3 tsp sesame oil + more for brushing & baking
1/2 cup hot water
a little white flour for dusting surface
Process:
– combine flour, salt & turmeric in a large bowl & mix well with hands. Add in oil & work in until texture becomes fine grained.
– make a well in the middle & pour in half the water. Mix well & gradually add in rest of water. Work with hands until a soft dough forms. Dust work surface with flour & kneed dough for at least 5 min. Cut into 4 – 6 pieces with a bench scraper.
– roll pieces in balls, and coat with flour. Keep extras covered with kitchen towel until ready to use. Roll out to a quarter inch or so & brush oil on top, fold in half & brush more oil, and fold again. Roll out this layered triangular piece until about a quarter inch thick.
– place on a hot & oiled cast iron pan or skillet & cook about 30 seconds, until bubbling & browned, then turn over & cook until browned on opposite side. Repeat with all pieces & keep them on a plate covered with a towel. Eat fresh & hot for best results!
(Chickpea-free) Green Falafel
serves: 4
Ingredients:
1/4 cup quinoa, rinsed
3/4 cup lentils, rinsed
2 1/2 cups water
large handful spinach
1 tbsp dried nettle
2 cloves garlic (opt)
S & P to taste
Ghee or avocado oil for cooking
Process:
– Combine rinsed quinoa & lentils together with water & bring to a boil. Cover & reduce heat, let simmer about 20 min until water evaporates. Stir & let sit covered additional five min. Turn heat on cast iron pan or griddle.
– Put cooked quinoa, lentils, spinach, nettle, garlic, s & p into a food processor & mix on low until well combined. Mixture will be very sticky.
– Form into balls or half-inch patties. Grease pan/griddle with oil/ghee & put the patties on. Cook a few minutes, until golden & flip only once to cook opposite until golden as well. That’s it!
– Recommend serving with warm flatbread, avocado, and fresh plain yogurt. Bon appetit!
“In every situation we have new opportunities to find creative solutions for our problems, redefine our priorities & explore other options.”
– Deepak Chopra
Wild Altar 