Let it

Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it.”
Harvey MacKay

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Grain-Free Banana Apple Spice Pancakes

Delicious healthiness must be shared! The people demand occasional recipes!
Please excuse the not-so-awesome picture, but these babies flew so fast, I had to snap this shot of my husbands plate between bites, while he was cutting up some for the littles! They are YUMMY!
Banana Apple Spice Pancakes
In Blender:
6 eggs
2 bananas
1 gala apple
1 cup almond butter
1-2 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp clove
1 tsp nutmeg
(Give or take on the spices according to preference.) Pre-chop fruit if your blender requires it. Add all ingredients and blend until incorporated. Pour or spoon onto hot griddle and carefully flip when bubbles in the center of each pancake pop and the hole stays. Let cook for a minute or so on second side until done. Serve with butter and pure maple syrup, or apple butter (or yogurt, or honey... or nothing. They are really good on their own!)
This made approximately 25 4 inch pancakes.
Pure awesomeness.
I wish you full bellies, healthy bodies, and moments happy enough to make you sigh.
Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Keeping Things Human

Think about the people in your life. Think of any you may feel anger or frustration toward. Now ask yourself honestly, are you seeing them as a person? As someone with reasons, personal experiences, and individual perspective behind their actions? Or are you seeing them as an object- something in your way, to be moved, manipulated, bent to your will or else be tossed from your life?
About 5 years ago my dad gifted every member of our family with a paperback copy of The Anatomy of Peace. Our family was not what you would call cohesive at the time. We were hardly even communicative. I personally harbored a lot of resentment toward my parents and siblings. I dreaded every family event and came home feeling judged and angry. I'll admit that it took me more than a year to even crack the cover of the Christmas gift that I had inwardly rolled my eyes at and set aside. I'm still not sure what prompted me to finally read it. When I finally did open that cover, there was a note glued into the binding. It was from my daddy- a note of apology and love. I dove into reading. Thus began a new phase of personal evolution, as I digested such a simple concept that is so meaningful and began to apply it in my own life.
...when our hearts are at war, we can't see clearly. We give ourselves the best opportunity to make clear-minded decisions only to the extent that our hearts are at peace.
This simple shift in perspective changed me. Peace, which seemed so longed for and ironically hard-fought, became a constant and reliable backdrop to my thoughts and emotions. I won't claim to be perfect about it. I have to pause and question my perspective sometimes- when I feel that negative energy- those sapping, pride-fueled emotions that consume me and if allowed to fester, leave me feeling wrung lifeless and burnt. I have to remind myself that offense only exists if it is taken, that my own perspective is not the only one involved, and that I must respect the intelligence and divine nature of those around me. It does not matter if I don't understand their perspective- they feel it, they live it, and that is what I have to work with. A confrontational argument convinces no one of change or fault. It only damages trust and causes pain and anger. People don't change until they decide to- out of love, out of need or out of clear-thinking logic. These elements aren't apparent in the presence of anger. We must encourage change- in ourselves and others- from a place of peace and love.