RSS Feed
  1. Is “Fighting” for Peace an Oxymoron?

    February 6, 2012 by admin

    You will quickly find that this blog will be full of anything and everything that comes to my mind involving social changes to support raising our collective consciousness and in turn ending human trafficking (and other social issues).  And today is one of those random days… I had this whole thing planned out about writing about reducing waste on your grocery store visits and how to buy more fair trade products during those visits.  Well my mind is simply on another topic – “What you resist persists.”

    Now what I am about to say may sound very radical to some and that is fine.  All I ask is for you to consider what I am saying for a few moments and let it soak in and just see how it feels.  Can you do that for me? Gracias! :)

    Let’s start with a quote about Law of Attraction and “Fighting Against” something from Jerry & Esther Hicks work with the being(s) known as Abraham (if you haven’t heard of them, go check it out – A-MAZING!) -

    “We notice that there are so many people who are living life in a very conditional way. They look out and they see things that are wonderful and they say “yes we want more of those, we would vote for that, we would support that with our time and energy and money”, but then they look out and they see things that they do not want, terrible things that they do not want to live and that they do not want to see others live, and they say “we’ve got to do something about getting rid of those things”, but they don’t realize that as they push against the unwanted, they add power to it.

    In this world there is a war against poverty, and a war against cancer, and a war against teenage pregnancy, and a war against terrorism, and a war against violence, and a war against terrorism.. did we mention that there is a war against terrorism? And all of this pushing against, is only adding-to, because you can’t say no and make it go away. When you shout no, the law of attraction is lining that up.

    - Abraham Hicks ‘Esther Hicks’

    My mind is circling around this thought continuously.  Because I am VERY passionate about injustices in our world like human trafficking/slavery, cruelty to animals, and inequalities in our world, but the kicker here is I don’t want to add to the power behind continuing these issues.  How do I make a difference and not add to the problem by fighting against these issues?

    Another quote to consider, also from Abraham Hicks -

    “It’s not your work to make anything happen. It’s your work to dream it and let it happen. Law of Attraction will make it happen. In your joy, you create something, and then you maintain your vibrational harmony with it, and the Universe must find a way to bring it about. That’s the promise of Law of Attraction.” — Abraham

    How do I, how do WE, dream into existence the end of human slavery, of injustices in our world and ultimately peace?  What comes to my mind immediately is simple.

    - Imagine it, dream it, live it, regardless of whether or not it is a reality.  Be in vibration with what is good and let me tell you there are SO MANY people, brands, companies out there doing amazing work! Buying from them creates that higher consciousness & vibration.

    - Come from love with everyone, especially those that we see as the evil ones.  As crazy as it sounds, they are teaching us something and we don’t know what kinda life got them to this point.  Check out Radical Forgiveness by Colin Tipping and you will have a MUCH better idea what I am referring to here.  Maybe I will write more on this one day. hehe.

    - Focus on doing what feels good to support these causes.  For me it is sharing with you and buying the fun and yummy products from individuals & companies that support Fair Trade.  Not by focusing my attention on all the terrible news out there of the injustices in this world.  Don’t get me wrong, I will be praying for these people and our world, and signing petitions and help support the end of these issues.  However, it will not be through focusing on the bad and making others wrong.  Has that gotten us anywhere thus far?  I would say no.

    Tonight I am starting my volunteer training at one of the most sophisticated Domestic & Sexual Violence Shelters in the country, so you can imagine where my thoughts are. The stuff I have had to read is gut wrenching but I will not put my attention on that.  My attention will go on what feels good and what I can do to raise the consciousness so we are all imagining a world full of peace and love and thus bringing into our REALITY.

    Maybe this is a wild dream, and I may be extreme or radical, and you know what? SO BE IT!  :-)  It feels right to me and I truly believe that if more people like us that care so much came from this space that it would make a world of difference.

    Just dream with me for a minute.

    Now notice where your resistance comes in. :)  Now go throw it in the trash!

    Lots of love to you all!

    Love! Freedom! Power!

    Kat

     


  2. Eggplant Parmesan (the non-dairy kind)

    February 2, 2012 by admin

    One of my friends recently gave me this recipe for Eggplant Parmesan minus anything animal in it (psss… that’s vegan).  Now I am vegetarian but I am a cheese LOVER even though I probably should not eat it considering I was allergic to milk when I was a little tike.  Who can resist cheese though?  Anyway, I was hesitant to try this recipe because truthfully I don’t really like eggplant and if it’s missing the cheese, what’s to make it any good??  Well let me just tell you – HO-LY SMOKES!!! THIS IS GOOODDDDD!!!!

    Here is the link to the recipe on Spark Recipes, (http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=405648&SPShared=TRUE) but let me share with you how I changed it up a bit last night.  The recipe as it is, is simply amazing but I like the mix up SO much because the “cheese” in my mix up does not use tofu.

    Minutes to Prepare: 40

    Minutes to Cook: 35

    Number of Servings: 6

    INGREDIENTS 

    • 2 Eggplant @2 1/2 lb (1 kg) sliced 1/4″ thick slices
    • 4 slices Wholegrain (Wholemeal) bread (I used the bread crumbs that you buy at the store)

     

    TOMATO SAUCE

     

    • 1 medium Onion chopped
    • 2 cups Canned Tomatoes no salt added (I recommend buying tomatoes in glass jars if your grocery store has it because apparently it is healthier than the canned ones)
    • 3 cloves Garlic minced
    • 1 tsp Oregano dried
    • 1/2 tsp Basil dried
    • 1/2 cup Vegetable Broth (stock)
    • 1/4 cup (2 tblspn) Tomato paste
    • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

    (I am usually way more generous on the spices but do it to your taste)

     

    “CHEESE SAUCE” 

    I completely switched this up and did an alteration of a recipe I found on www.veganangela.com (http://www.vegangela.com/2011/04/27/best-vegan-mac-and-cheese/)

     

    • 2/3 Cup of Raw Cashews
    • 1/3 Cup of Nutritional Yeast
    • 1 tsp of Onion Powder
    • 1 tsp of Salt
    • 1/2 tsp of Garlic Powder
    • Ground Pepper (few cranks)
    • 1-3/4 Cups of Non Dairy Milk (I like almond milk because it is the creamiest to cook with)
    • 1-1/2 tbsp of Cornstarch
    • 1/4 Cup of Canola Oil
    • 1/4 Cup of Light (yellow or white) Miso
    • 2 squeezed limes or lemons (about 2 tbsp)

    DIRECTIONS

     

    Cut the eggplant & if you like salt the eggplant slices, rinse and pat dry (I didn’t and it didn’t make a difference)

     

    Broil (grill) the eggplant slices, spraying with a little canola spray until browned on both sides. (This part seemed to take me the longest so start this first.. well unless you have a bigger broil pan than me)

     

    Prepare the Tomato Sauce by sauteing the onion until translucent add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for @15 minutes.

     

    Cheese Sauce Directions: 

     

    • Place cashews in a large-sized bowl of the food processor and finely grind–just don’t let the cashews turn to a paste. (I use my blender on pulse and stir up)
    • Add nutritional yeast, onion powder, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Pulse three more times to blend in spices.
    • In a heavy saucepan, combine milk, cornstarch and oil. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Decrease heat to low-medium, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes, or until cornstarch dissolves.
    • With the food processor running, gradually add milk/oil mixture to cashew/nutritional yeast mixture. Blend for 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Next blend in miso and lemon juice.

     

    Preheat the oven to 350 deg F (180 deg C) and assemble the dish as follows:

     

    • Spray dish lightly with canola spray and place half the eggplant slices in the bottom. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs until the eggplant looks lightly coated.
    • Then add half of the tomato sauce finishing with half of the “cheesesauce”.
    • Repeat the process once more with the remaining ingredients finishing with a layer of the breadcrumbs.

     

    Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes until lightly browned. If wished sprinkle with chopped fresh basil leaves and vegan parmesan.

     

    I also put it on top of Quinoa noodles.  Delicious!

     

    Don’t forget your Fair Trade Chocolate for dessert! :)

     

    ENJOY!!!!

     


  3. One foot in front of the other…

    January 30, 2012 by admin

    I created this blog over a week ago and I have been procrastinating on writing the first post?  Why?  Because sometimes something can seem so overwhelming you have no earthly idea where to start.  That’s how I feel right now.  I have so much swirling in my head and so much I want to do, but where to begin?!?!

    Then I remember it just takes one step at a time and one foot in front of the other. As the old cliche goes, Rome was not built over night.

    You may relate to this when it comes to living a more sustainable or green lifestyle.  It can seem like such a daunting task to make those kinds of changes in your life, but it doesn’t have to be.  It just takes one step at a time.

    That is what this blog is about.  Giving you easy ideas and tips to live a more sustainable and green lifestyle.

    There is a great deal behind why I am doing this, and you can read more about it under the “About” tab, but let me tell you again that something has clicked in me and I know I can never go back to my old ways.  No way, no how.

    Why you might ask?  Because my heart has been broken wide open when I think of children and adults alike being exploited and enslaved to make the products that many of us buy.  Not saying EVERYTHING out there comes from unethical means but I am not taking my chances.

    I am so excited to connect in on Twitter with a community of like minded individuals and to see all the AMAZING products out there to support living a green lifestyle.

    This journey is one that is filled with discovery and triumph and just feeling good that we are making a difference in this world, one step at a time.

    What can you commit to doing this week to make a difference?  There are many simple things you can consider.

    • Go visit your local farmer’s market!  Buy organic and/or local.
    • Take your recycling to the local recycling center.
    • For my deal conscious fashionista’s check out www.purecitizen.com and www.lovingeco.com.
    • Consider Fair Trade chocolate or flowers for Valentine’s Day.  Whole Foods and Central Market have lots of options for yummy chocolate!
    • Follow my blog! ;-) (I had to add a plug in there hehe)

    What else has been on your list to do to become more eco-friendly?  Would love to hear from you.

    Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter at GoingGreenChic!

    Love! Freedom! Power!

    Kat

    P.S. Thanks for reading! :-)