It’s that time of year again. Nights are longer, days are colder, and I’m dreaming of blankets, candles, and comfort food; however, I still want to feel healthy and be mindful about what I’m putting into my body. During the summer months, I love making Buddha Bowls, colorful vegan bowlfuls of fresh veggies, quinoa, and tofu, and I just started making comfort food versions. This one features root veggies and mashed cauliflower, as well as kale and rosemary which are still going strong in our winter garden!

You will need:

  • 3 cups Cauliflower, Chopped
  • 2 cups Fresh Kale
  • 2 cups Beets, Peeled and Diced
  • 2 cups Sweet Potatoes, Peeled and Diced
  • 3 tbsp Fresh Rosemary
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • Olive Oil, Salt, and Pepper (to taste)

Heat oven to 425º. Toss beets with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and half of the rosemary. Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, cayenne, cinnamon. Arrange side by side on a baking sheet, leaving some room on one side, and place in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Toss kale with olive oil and carefully place on baking sheet next to the root veggies. Place baking sheet in oven for additional 10 minutes.

Bring 5 quarts of water to a boil. Add cauliflower and remaining rosemary to boiling water and boil gently for 10 minutes. Drain. Add cauliflower, garlic, salt, and pepper to a food processor and blend until smooth. Add vegan butter or unsweetened nut milk for a creamier texture!

Arrange mashed cauliflower, sweet potatoes, beets, and kale in a large bowl, top with vegan gravy or cranberry sauce, and enjoy!

What’s your go-to vegan comfort food?

Royal Treatment

I felt like a queen this weekend. Why? Could’ve been the castle. 

After a winding drive through the mountains, a gap in the pines revealed Bishop Castle, a towering structure of metal and stone, dragon included, of course. I abandoned my fear of heights for the day and climbed the delicate spiral staircases, to the top of the world, it seemed. I became enchanted with this mysterious place. It was right out of a  fairytale. After a cold day of romping around the mountains, still in my fairytale-castle-mindset, all I wanted was a warm bubble bath… & while self-care is about so much more than “pampering”, I think it’s necessary to indulge every now and then. Everything in moderation, right?

How do you indulge?

Morning and Evening Routines

How do you start and end your day? It’s so easy to snooze a few more minutes, or go to bed staring at a screen. As a counselor, it’s important for me to be present and focused with my clients, and my night and morning routines have a huge impact on my mindset for the day ahead. Let’s try to be more purposeful in the mornings and evenings by starting and ending the day with mindfulness and self-care. Here’s what’s on the schedule:

Morning Routine

Make Your Bed

Brush and Floss

Drink Warm Lemon Water

Morning Yoga Sequence

Meditation & Intention Setting

Healthy Breakfast

Making the bed is the perfect way to start the day off with intention and purpose. It’s also important to stretch and nourish the mind, body, and soul in the morning to feel refreshed and rejuvenated all day long. I love starting my day with a short yoga sequence, walk, or bike ride. Warm lemon water and a good breakfast, such as chia seed pudding, oatmeal, or avocado toast can help maintain focus and energy throughout the morning.

Evening Routine

Shower & Salt Scrub

Journal

Drink Chamomile Tea

Lavender Oil in Diffuser

Bed Yoga

Read

With colder weather on its way, my skin is in constant need of my tea tree lavender scrub. I’ll be using it everyyy night this winter. Journaling and reflecting on the day, warm chamomile tea, and the soothing smell of lavender can help keep the mind calm and quiet at night. As for the body, there are lots of easy, gentle yoga sequences that can be done right before (and in) bed. And rather than trying to relax with the glaring light from a phone, TV, or laptop, how about opting to fall asleep with a good book! The perfect way to end the day. Ahhhhh.

The light within me honors the light within you.