Ya, it's 31c here (that's 88f for you United States of Americans), but after spending a gorgeous weekend at Heartroot farm in Southeast Quebec, meditating and slowing down to be present to the passing of the equinox, I'm feeling the buzz of autumn in my body. There are so many incredible moments to enjoy. The crunch of leaves under new boots. The smell of fallen leaves and chimney smoke. Cozy throws and warm chamomile lavender tea.
Add to that healthy comfort foods (think lentil chili, roasted butternut squash soup, sauteed swiss chard....) and a new husband and life seems nothing but perfect.
ok, ok not all is scented candles and pumpkin pie, but I feel so content just enjoying today, that that alone feels worthy of a celebration. If I could do one thing right now (besides being poolside sipping a lime mint coconut sparkling probiotic drink) I'd be down here in this photo below, with Erik, my husband. "Shall we call up Dane and Lola?" " Why, what a rockin' idea, Let's make smores."
Ever need to unwind at night? Oh my dears, put down that jameson and pick up this tea! (or just alternate, if that's your pleasure, I won't tell). If you like lavender as much as I do, you will buy as many boxes of this as I have! It is my go-to end of the evening winddown, and while i wish Traditional Medicines sponsored this post, they have not. It's just so yum, y'all.
I've been getting into a serious nesting mode too. Maybe it's because once the snow and winds rush in, us Montrealers spend a lot more time inside, hibernating. We hole up, scribbling lyrics into notebooks, or listen to new (Basia Bulat & Arcade Fire) or old (Beach Boys & Velvet Underground) albums on Vinyl. We watch back to back episodes of walking dead, or make cute crafts to sell at puces pop, or we sit and read. talk. watch hockey. meditate. Take 2-5 hot baths a day.
With autumn arriving, I also find myself wanting to get busy and productive. Create things! Move forward in life! Make more money! Take classes! Get smarter and better.
but instead, I remind myself to take a deep breath in and look around at where I am. This is a perfect moment. And I hope you'll look around you and see that your moment is perfect too. Whether life is so very easy or so very hard for you right now.
I've been through some pretty painful things in the past. Things I wasn't sure I would ever heal from. but I am. and this is one of the reasons for this blog. To help anyone who is out there wondering if there is just one real person who could possibly understand what they are going through, and will it ever change? I have no doubt that no matter what stage in your life you are at, you can heal. Maybe you just had your first or 100th panic attack (been there!), lost someone to cancer you never thought you could withstand to lose, (felt that!) or just feel dark and empty. There is no way out, only a way through and it begins with this second. Even now, you can enjoy, or at the very least accept, and be in This moment right now. You can open your heart and your mind and let all that bad just be there without judgement.
So right now, just stop what you're doing, straighten your spine, take 5 deep breaths in and out, relax your shoulders, jaw and especially (as my favourite acting teacher John Schmor used to say) relax your sphincter (I KNOW, it's gross, just do it anyway), and think of just one small thing you love. Then, thank the universe for that one gift.
I'm still new to this blogging world so I am an official work-in-progress. I don't mind. Hopefully you don't mind either. I will leave you with my favourite recipe for Lentil Chili. It's. the. best. top it with a little grated cheese and sour cream? Heaaaaven.
Imagine the best picture you ever saw of lentil chili here
(Isn't it beautiful?!)
Spicy Lentil Chili (Recipe from Crazy Plates, by Janet & Greta Podleski, Granet Publishing, 1999)
1 tsp. olive oil
1 cup each of diced onions, celery, green pepper, and carrots
1 clove garlic
1 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 - 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 19 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 19 oz can cooked lentils, drained and rinsed
1 cup tomato sauce
½ cup unsweetened pineapple juice
1/4 cup chili sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped, fresh cilantro
For garnish: low fat sour cream
Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onions, celery, green pepper, carrots, and garlic.
Cook and stir for 5 minutes, until vegetables begin to soften.
Add chili powder, cumin, oregano. and cinnamon, Cook and stir for 1 more minute. Add all remaining
ingredients except cilantro and sour cream. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low. Cover and
simmer for 15 minutes, stirring once in a while.
Stir in cilantro. Remove from heat, ladle into serving bowls and top with sour cream, if desired.
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