Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Desserts Part Deux

I have an unspoken rule. It goes with any cuisine I cook or dessert I prepare. I rarely ever make it the same way twice.  Which means, each creation is a unique gift in and of itself.  Much like the loved ones in your life, two legged and/or four legged.
In this particular blog entry, I'm fondly reflecting on the whims of childhood when I was completely ignorant to GMO'S and to the dangers of fast food.  One of my favorite things to eat was KFC's dessert parfait.  It was this multi-layered yummy dessert full of god-awful ingredients that were inherently bad for you but tasted so good.  There was the graham cracker vanilla 'cake' on the bottom with a strawberry filling in the middle topped with whipped cream.
What I've done is created that same dessert but with ingredients that are not only delectable in every bite but also super yummy for you and the environment.
There are various ways you can put this dessert together.  Please keep in mind that these are guidelines and experimentation is highly encouraged.

Bottom layer:
Option #1
gluten free, vegan granola

Option #2
1/4 cup almond meal
1 tsp hemp seeds
1 tsp coconut sugar
1 tsp melted vegan butter
-Place ingredients into a small bowl and mash together with a fork. The consistency you want to achieve is crumbly with small chunks. You can either add more almond meal or more liquid like rice milk to get the desired texture.

Next layer:
Option #1
vanilla coconut yogurt (or another non dairy, vegan option)

Option #2
1 cup cashews (soaked over night)
1/4 cup non dairy milk
-Place ingredients in blender. Refrigerate after until the dessert is about to be assembled.

Additional layer(s):
Chocolate avocado pudding
recipe and instructions can be found here

Fruit topping
Strawberries, peaches, blueberries or any fruit of your choice.  You can either opt to cut them up and serve them fresh or you can also caramelize them using an iron skillet on medium heat with melted vegan butter and a sprinkle of coconut sugar.  To achieve the caramelization, heat for a few minutes and set aside to cool.

Final topping layer:
Granola, goji berries, sliced almonds are just a number of wonderful options to choose from.

Last, but certainly not least. Your wine glass, so the final product looks something like this:


Gratitude is the best accompaniment to any sustenance and as you are about to dig in with aplomb, I encourage you to attune to the hands that harvested the crops, the hands that prepared this amazing creation and to infuse this edible art with love, abundance and infinite gratitude.

Bon appetit, loves!

Sunday, June 9, 2013

The Money Altar


The Money Altar


Good Morning, Sweet Goddess Sistars!

After a heartfelt, inspiring talk with my friend Karin yesterday...what she shared is the end result: this particular post today.  After people around her shared their money woes and stresses revolving around these issues, she decided to create a money altar.  The results are nothing short of a miraculous, magical blob of goodness!  And, as you can see from the photo above...I was inspired to do the same!

If at any time you are feeling constricted, stressed out and/or blocked in receiving the abundance you so desire...I suggest either creating your own altar or attuning to the one pictured.  Try setting the intention of releasing whatever it is you're blocked with or attached to and 
envision your arms stretched out to receive.

What's on the Altar:
Sacred sage gifted by a very dear sister.
$25 also gifted by the same dear sister mentioned above.
A citrine crystal representing clearing and abundance.
Ash from the fire of the last women's sweatlodge.
Beans gifted to me by a gentleman from one of our community sweatlodges which represents growth, strength, abundance and integrity.
Coins from some of the countries I have visited.
Cloth borrowed from my friend whom facilitates Trance Dances.

And most importantly, words written on pieces of paper:
This Altar represents money, abundance welcomed into My Life.
This Altar is for All Sisters.
Abundance!
Energy Exchange!
I am open to receive!
To release all blocks preventing us from receiving abundance.
To release fears and attachments around money and lack.
To release what no longer serves are highest good and abundant nature.

~~~~~

As we move through and swim in the Seas of our Truth, may we ride the waves and float with the water..and not against it.  May we Let Go and Love All that IS..being mindful of what serves the highest good for All.  That not only is there enough but More Than Enough.  May we be reminded why we sit together in Circle.  That are Gifts are fully received, from the heart and given freely with no attachments.  Pure and unconditional.  Sistars, the gift of your friendship, the lifelong connections and our stories/insights/BEing are PRICELESS.  This Path that we have said YES! to is an experience that can never be replicated and there is nothing like it out there available.  Why? Because we each bring something of ourselves and each of us is unique.

It is an honor to share this space with you.

With infinite gratitude,
Athena <3>

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Dear Goddess

Whilst sitting in the Garden at Shama Mama's lovely home, words began to come through in the form of a letter.  It originally was written the day of a community sweatlodge and I intended to share it then, however, when it came to do so as we sat together in the dark with the Great Creator amoungst all of us...it didn't feel quite right.  A few weeks later, in this month's women's sweatlodge, as we all sat together in a powerful Circle this poem jumped excitedly at the chance to share its words.  As we were about to enter into the fourth round and conclude this auspicious ceremony, Dear Goddess sprang forth.
As we sat in Ceremony together, an adjustment was made to address the group in its entirety.  This is the original version.  In Gratitude, Athena <3>

Dear Goddess,
I feel so blessed...
Continue to nurture me
Throughout eternity...
Help us to serve the Light
And to Live what is right...
For We Honor You, the Exquisite Grace
Which is seen upon every women's face...
As we answer the call to ascend and be free,
Let us remember that it's not just you and me...
To embrace All BEings near and far,
Brothers, Sisters, the Sun, Moon and Stars...
The two legged, the four legged and the ones who fly..
From the Sea to the Earth, the Wind and Sky...
Let US stand with the mountains, immoveable like stone...
We Are All One...blood, skin and bone...
Like the phoenix, from the ash We Will Rise...
Our collective voices singing, "Let Love Be Our Guide..."