New Choices!

To have a long lovely driveway is very nice and , of course,  it takes you to a road… A road that you have been acquainted with for quite some time. You may be at a point in your life when you need to use that road to get somewhere you’ve never gone before. Thinking about getting to a needed destination, are you confused, nervous? So, do you want to forget the whole idea of getting to a place you have never been before, a place you really need to get to? When you get to the end of that driveway, I hope you have made some decisive decisions. I trust you can follow the flexible plans you made and you’ve spoken to the right people who have been there before you…

This is where you must be attentive to what your gut, your heart and head are telling you. The particular action you take could have you sitting at the end of that driveway forever, but that will get you nowhere. Understand that all of the input from the knowledge and feelings you have can be overwhelming, but you can use your creativity to design a pathway for you. Think about it… when you get that gut feeling, you must act on something, you feel it! If it’s telling you to change your direction, speed up or slow down… and you’ve never been in a situation like this… your going to need to get creative and make some fast decisions…

Start listing to what your body and mind are telling you and get creative with the decisions you are making, you are never “stuck”. Life can only get better when you spread you wings and head to a destination in a way you have never attempted before! I promise you that you’ll learn things that you never thought possible!

Oh yes, you must remember that your faith and trust in God will be the wind rushing over your wings to lift you up and then you can trust your choices. You will not be afraid and will be assured that you will be fine!

Deborah Mullan/ A Creative Living Professional

Photo credit: D. Mullan

 

Eating Healthy: Soups!

 

It’s so easy to quickly  make healthy soups! I generally make a different one daily! If you have 20 minutes… you can do it. Pick the type of soup you want that day and put it together! Yesterday, it was cream of tomato with sautéed shallots.Today, it’s very veggie vegetable soup!

Using frozen veggies and fruits makes this treat a breeze. What makes soups delicious and different from something ‘out of a can’ is what you put in it and the herbs and spices you use…that’s true of all dishes you prepare. Now, you could take fresh from the farm ingredients and cut, chop and dice yourself into a stupor, but it won’t be quick.

So, for this soup: Using a Crock Pot  (or pan of an appropriate size) I used vegetable stock, tomatoes (canned diced or stewed) frozen mixed veggies of choice ,i.e. frozen spinach, carrots, peas and corn.  Lentils and black beans and a little fresh juice of a lemon. The soup was seasoned with coriander, cardamom, a touch of mint, red pepper flakes ,Herbes de Provence and garlic( all to taste). Obviously, the quantities of each element will vary depending on the amount of soup you want to make. You can change this up any way you want… use courgettes, onion ( you might want to sauté shallots, leeks or other onions), cabbage or whatever you might be in the mood for that day. This is also great way to get rid of leftover veggies etc.! Let the soup heat until cooked and flavors meld. I believe the slower and longer you let it cook the better it will be.

You see, the elements vary to taste and come together very quickly. If you start this process in the morning, by late afternoon … you have a real treat!  These soups can usually be frozen. So, when you want a quick ‘“pick-me-up” or a soup to serve with a meal, these are ready to eat when you want them! Imagine, a freezer with various soups YOU made, right there whenever you want them…YES!

Deborah Mullan/A Creative Living Professional

Did Someone Say Casseroles?

 Okay, it’s Saturday, your family wants to eat or nibble at all hours of the day, and possibly night… oh, then comes Sunday…and you need guiltless me time.

One of the best ways to keep your family well fed (happy) and give yourself some personally needed me time, that’s free from kitchen duty, is to make casserole dishes on Friday night or Saturday morning! Actually, you can make tasty dishes and freeze them, when YOU have the time!

Easy to assemble and healthy food is what you want to achieve. Just think of the mouth watering possibilities! A casserole is a dish that can use left overs or quick prep foods. Think about the choices…meat or plant based proteins, pasta and/or grains, and veggies galore! Flavorful and nutritious meals are there for all those empty tummies… while you take 24 hours for yourself. Oh yes , you too can enjoy a meal… when you FEEL like eating, Oh joy!

Give yourself a break and ENJOY your weekends…

Deborah Mullan/A Creative Living Professional