If you are in the States, I’m sure you are feeling the heaviness weighing on our collective consciousness as we gripe with the severe injustices and systemic issues that have been swept under the rug in this country for far too long.
And though this is certainly a challenging period, it gives me great hope for the future. Things like unrest, disorder, and outrage might be uncomfortable for our order-loving selves, but they serve as an impetus for change. And change is what we need, not at some arbitrary moment in the future, but now. Today.
By being actively willing to sit in the discomfort and be with everything that comes up, we can evolve and resolve to create a world that is better.
The current situation has unearthed to me how much I still have to learn about this country, about the systemic prejudices that create such stark differences in the life experiences of Black people in this country, as well as other communities I am not a part of. I will never know what it is like to have those life experiences, but I can commit to using the (often unfair) privileges my life experience affords me to stand as an ally.
And so, I have resolved to learn. So that I can be aware and so that I can be better in the future.
Please see this post that Lindsay shared with a great list of resources to start with (some are totally free), and consider ways that you can help. Donating money and marching are amazing ways, but for those who don’t have the means or cannot afford the risk, committing to educating yourself can be just as important.
I also really really appreciated Trevor Noah’s perspective and wisdom in this post.
Please take care of your heart and the hearts of others. Compassion and kindness always.
<3
And now onto some meals and moves because there’s been quite a lot of good ‘uns that I would love to share.
Eats
Whole Wheat Pancakes with Blueberries
This is my favorite healthy base pancake recipe. I love blueberries in there, but you could do bananas and/or chocolate chips, nuts, coconut. Sky’s the limit with pancakes! I usually do half spelt flour and half oat flour because I’ve found that to create my favorite pancake texture, but you do you boo!
Paleo Chocolate Banana Tahini Muffins
I loved these muffins! They made the best breakfast, snack, and dessert, and somehow they were just as delicious 3 days after baking as straight out of the oven. If you haven’t baked with tahini yet, don’t sleep on it!
Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Tahini Sauce
These were SO GOOD! That tahini sauce is divine and can probably be used to elevate pretty much any dish. Veggies, salad, cake.. :p
I enjoyed these with roasted cauliflower (love that with tahini) and with eggplant fries from my favorite cookbook.
Kale Sweet Potato Falafel Salad w/ Best Ever Tahini Dressing
This was my own creation, with some help from Mr. Trader Joe. I used their falafel mix to make the falafel to go in the salad, massaged the kale with some olive oil and lemon juice, roasted some sweet potatoes, chopped some tomatoes, and mixed it all together.
That dressing is my favorite dressing ever, especially on kale, and it comes together super easy. Can you tell I’ve been having a moment with tahini since I was able to finally procure some from Trader Joe’s? 😉
Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancakes
These are a MUST anytime I have an open can of pumpkin. And of course, chocolate chips are non-optional. I also love how easily and quickly they come together since you make the batter in a blender.
Cauliflower Alfredo Veggie Pasta
This was probably the most creative thing I cooked this week since I kinda just experimented as I went. I used this cauliflower alfredo sauce recipe (I added the optional cheese, of course), made some Banza chickpea pasta that I added frozen peas into in the last few minutes of cooking, and sautéed some brussels sprouts in avocado oil with a bit of balsamic vinegar. Then mix it all together, and bam, delish white pasta that’s chock-full of veggies.
You can mix and match any veggies; I would have totally put in spinach and mushrooms if I had them. Oh, and it went down real good with some New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. 😉
Also enjoyed several cheese plates (my favorite easy lazy dinner), made another batch of puppy chow for easy desserts, and my favorite green smoothie bowl happened a couple times for breakfast/lunch.
Movement
Lower body hiit + thigh Pilates + butt Pilates (this was only 35 minutes and packed a PUNCH! I was extremely sweaty and sore.)
Intense upper body + cardio workout (awesome for when your lower body is sore but your bod is still craving a good sweat sesh – my arms were SORE the next day)
Deep Stretch Yoga – this is one of my FAVE routines for when I’m sore or just am craving a luxurious stretch. It always feels like I had a massage when I’m done.
Solo Dance Party + Ab Pilates + Obliques Pilates (yes dance parties are now a regular and integral part of my fitness routine, and I love it. :p )
Power Yoga – be forewarned, there are….MANY push-ups. One of those routines that strikes the perfect balance of challenging and relaxing; I felt so good after.
Have a lovely week, all. Take care of yourselves and those around you. <3
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