♥ 

 

I’ve been away for such a long time,

caught up in a flurry of unexpected change..

 ♥

 

Stability is so important to me and predictability is sometimes a scarce commodity.

 

The constant reassurance of just knowing, just being in the moment

from day to day is sometimes forgotten in a world

where fast paced living is glorified.

 ♥

For me, change has felt like an inner war raging

and I rail against the onslaught of the tidal wave.

But the ocean’s tides return, time doesn’t stand on ceremony and our children grow.

♥

Early morning meditation and yoga…

deep breaths taken in a darkened room,

with essential oil perfumed air,

is a reminder to stop the struggle and remember inner strength

and the power and peace found in submission.. of floating on those waves..

in believing that our future is unfolding just as it should.

 ♥

All that is needed are quiet first steps

♥ 

We are reminded to be grateful for all of the teachers who have blessed our lives,

and not to forget the most important teacher..

the one that is inside of ourselves.

Our Inner Goddess

or

our Inner Divine Being

 ♥

The peace found in beautiful gardens brings my heart-center back into harmony..

exploring fragrant beds of blooms, new buds and spent blossoms

can rejuvenate.

♥ 

Susan and Keith have spent countless hours

creating their lush beds on an expanse of land in the heart of Mabel Lake country.

My Mom and Dad often visit to pick up a few home-grown raspberries or a new plant or two.. or three.. and I was fortunate enough to tag along for a visit.

While friends share gardening expertise..

..this is a place where children blossom too

and even the tiniest of frogs can coexist peacefully

in this bucolic of  landscapes…

“It’s All Good”

♥

Green Goddess Dressing

It is so important to replenish strength with organic, crisp dark greens plucked from black garden loam

or from a local farmer’s market basket.

 ♥

This green goddess dressing is an adaptation from Gwyneth Paltrow’s book “It’s All Good”

There are so many lovely recipes in this book..

that it’s become my “Go-To” cookbook for the Summer of 2013.

I don’t often purchase new cookbooks… but I knew I had to have this one when my friend made us her Go-To Tomato Sauce with Turkey Meatballs. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a tomato sauce that flavorful.

Her recipes are healthful, contain no refined sugar, are gluten free and often vegan…
and just filled with flavor from natural herbs

They’re meant to restore balance..

♥ 

♥

We are not Vegan, I don’t think I could ever give up honey.. and I’ve never met a recipe I couldn’t change,

so here is my version of her Green Goddess Dressing for you..

if you’d like to try Gwyneth’s recipe.. you’ll have to pick up a copy of her book.

♥

Side Note: I made my Asparagus Ribbons Salad last night and the Green Goddess Dressing was a match made in heaven:)

{ As always.. opinions and cookbook reviews in my blog are my own and, sadly, a free copy of her book wasn’t sent to me to try.. or anything of the sort.. I just loved it and wanted to share it with you. I hope you’re having a lovely summer! xx }