[As always, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined-sugar-free!]

Often, the grass seems greener on the other side…When you’re bored, you wish you had purpose. When you’re incredibly busy, you wish you had time to be bored. Perhaps you look at someone and yearn for her life absent of your problems, but inevitably that person’s life comes with another host of issues. The point being that, in theory, you’re never absent of something to complain about.

Now, I’m not saying that life is miserable. I’m saying that while we cruise along in life or make our way through a transition, how you appreciate what life has given could transform the time or you in the process. Some of the most horrific ordeals have befallen the graceful and the graceful still retain their grace. Instead of wishing yourself out of something, regardless of the situation’s magnitude, can you retain your grace throughout?

Have you ever watched yourself move through your day? Take a step back and just watch. Often we spend so much time looking at other lives or wishing we could get to the other side of the fence, that we miss the green grass that surrounds us.

Yes, be in the moment, but then go deeper. Nurture where you are in your life by sinking into the difficulties, the triumphs, the blessings, and the curses, for that is what creates a life worth your own envy.

I could find countless blessings and curses in my life. I’m not going to list them, nor am I going to run from them. I am going to nurture myself and the grass that I’m walking through. Despite office chaos, these sweet potato and quinoa patties over baby kale and avocado allow me to step back and sink to my life. I am able to dwell in the simple joy of everything that surrounds me.

sweet potato and quinoa patties
about 14-16 patties

• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced (optional)
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely diced
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1¾ cups quinoa
• 3 cups of water
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1″ chunks
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ cup oat flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• salt & pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease a cookie sheet.
2. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, saute onion, optional garlic, and carrots in olive oil for 3-4 minutes. Add quinoa, water and paprika.
3. Cover, bring to a boil and then reduce to med-low. Simmer for 10 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
4. Steam sweet potato chunks for 4-6 minutes, until softened. In a large mixing bowl, mash sweet potatoes with fork or potato masher.
5. Add cooked quinoa mixture to the sweet potato and mix together. Add lightly beaten eggs and breadcrumbs.
6. Stir mixture until thoroughly combined. Allow to cool for 15 minutes, until cool enough to handle.
7. Form mixture into hockey puck sized patties by hand and place on the cookie sheet.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes after baking. Serve warm or cold!

[adapted from generationyfoodie.com]

american pastime…

Ever wished you lived in another country? That grass isn’t much greener unless the national cookie is chocolate chip. Another reason to not just appreciate where you are (assuming you’re in the U.S.), but dive in deeper.

chocolate chip cookies
about 20 cookies

• ⅔ cup coconut flour
• ⅓ cup arrowroot starch
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ⅓ cup coconut palm sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 whole eggs or 2 flax mixture (3 tbsp flax meal with 6 tbsp water, let sit for 10 minutes)
• ⅓ cup chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons coconut oil, liquid
• 4 tablespoons coconut butter, softened (or vegan butter)
• 3-4 tablespoons water

1. Have all ingredients out to room temperature.
2. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
3. In a large bowl, place all your dry ingredients. Stir. Add in your chocolate chips and mix.
4. Next add in your liquid coconut butter, coconut oil, and eggs or flax mixture. Stir.
5. Add in water until you get the batter to start holding together. It will be on the thick side.
6. Scoop onto cookie sheets then flatten with your fingers. Bake for 14-16 minutes. Cool before removing from cookie sheets.

[adapted from purelytwins.com]

“The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be.” ~Robert Fulghum

xo, S