Snickermallows

"This month definitely kicked me in the butt". Man, this was a tough month for me. So many unexpectedly beautiful moments were so quick to be coupled with feelings of loss and failure. New hopes and dreams that felt like another try at love, joy or connection just didn't end up settling and I guess when I look at it, they were never really meant to. They were just new opportunities to experience, feel and do more than just exist. Another stroke to this textured masterpiece called life. Another chapter in the story and another snapshot of life stashed away in my mind's gallery. I find it so funny how on the outside it may seem or even feel like you're doing everything wrong. You have to make decisions that hurt and make you question if you even know what you're doing, but...the game changer for me has been choosing to accept and relieve myself of the responsibility of doing it "right". "Right" is so subjective to each individual. When I tell myself that I'm not in control for a reason, I'm finally able to understand that God's plan for me and my life is so much bigger, better and just more than what I could ever make it with my own hands. I choose to cling to that. It means I don't have to expect myself to do the right thing and instead just do my best and follow where my soul feels at peace. Whether it makes sense to my head or feelings. As long as I'm at peace I get to enjoy the moment without expectation or fear of the future:) Maybe you get me and hopefully you feel a little less alone when you have a tough month too. Keep you're head up.

Now go put on a cozy sweater and bake these buttery little goodies that are absolutely smothered in gooey little marshmallows to warm up that beautiful body of yours<3

1 Cup of butter/margarine melted

2 Cup of flour

2 Cup of sugar

1 Tsp cinnamon

1 Egg

1 Tsp baking powder

1 Cap of vanilla

1. Melt butter and cream with sugar, vanilla and then add in the egg and mix until smooth.

2. Next add in the flour and baking powder, whisk until crumbly.

3. Then fold the mixture with a spatula until smooth and it starts to ball together.

4. Freeze for about 10-20 min depending on your freezer.

5. Ball up and toss in cinnamon sugar.

6. Preheat oven and bake at 350 F for about 15 minutes.

7. Add in the marshmallows on the tops at the 10 min mark and let bake the rest of the 5 minutes.

8. Let fully cool and enjoy.

"Miracles do not in fact, break the laws of nature". C.S Lewis

Strawberry Cardamom Cake

Weird thought...most of our lives as humans are just chasing, chasing and chasing to no end or until exhaustion. But we rarely stop to ask if what we're chasing lines up with who we are. Most of the time we are motivated by money, status, titles and approval. But none of these things actually define us, we're just told they do. Yes, we need to survive but I find some of the most impactful people I've met have been the ordinary heroes. There once was a woman who told me I was beautiful, just because she could and she changed my entire perspective forever. She was a cashier I had met when I was an awkward, uncomfortable and confused mixed-race 11 year old, who thought her eyebrows were "too dark and too bushy". This woman completely changed my life and had no idea. I remember dozing off into the distance with no clue someone was watching me, while my mom finished paying for our groceries. Then all of the sudden I hear a soft voice admiringly say "you're daughter is beautiful". I blushed and felt a little flutter in my stomach when it hit me she was talking about me. Little did that incredible soul know that she helped me see past all the stereotypes I had been fed from the media and living in a pretty white washed world. One that favoured white skin, athletic bodies, blue eyes and blonde hair. She taught me 1. That you should always tell someone when you admire them (it feels great) and 2. That your self-perception shouldn't be defined by the people around you. That wasn't a lesson given to me from a multi-million dollar CEO or from the top celebrity of the year. Nope, it was from someone who was spreading love from where she stood, because that is who she was. Not a cashier, she was a generous soul who I believe had the same ability to change the world just as much as anyone else. The only difference is: She didn't wait for the permission or the title to do it. She did it by her own ability with where she was. Just because she could. So if you take anything away from this (other than a SUPER moist berry cake;)) I hope it's that you can do the good you've always craved...now, right where you are.

Recipe

• 1 cup of Sugar

• 2 Eggs

• 1/4 cup + 1/8 cup vegan butter

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cap Coconut extract

• 10 pods Cardamom

• 1 cup Flour

• 450 grams Strawberries

• 1 tsp Baking powder

• Greased pie dish

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Grind cardamom pods in a mortar and pestle and set aside

3. Melt butter - 30 seconds, until liquid

4. Add in raw eggs

5. Mix together completely

6. Toss in sugar and mix to get the sticky consistency

7. Add in extracts and mix

8. Toss in flour, cardamom and baking power - mix it well to keep the sticky consistency but don’t over mix.

9. Cut up the strawberries and toss in bowl icing sugar to coat.

10. Fold them into the batter.

11. Grease a pie dish.

12. Pour the batter evenly

13. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 350F

14. Take out when knife inserted in the centre is clean.

15. Serve with either whipped cream or a cream cheese drizzle!

Cafe & Cocoa Banana Muffins

There's just something about it...sunshine peaking through the curtains in the morning. The warm golden light tickling your cheeks and wrapping you in a soft, cozy blanket of comfort. You wanna carry this feeling throughout the day...Whether it's in a banged up old mug from the back of your cupboard, a well thought-out thermos or the iconic little paper cup with a boujee lid and an added sleeve. Coffee is like the little piece of happiness we feel in the morning carried with us throughout the day. It seems when things get hard, they're just easier to handle with a warm cup of sunshine in your hand and a bold, sweet flavour on your tongue. A kin to this feeling is when a complete stranger you pass on your way throughout the day simply says, with genuine meaning: "Have great day". I remember talking to an old friend who had lived a truly turbulent life, he had been in the army for another country and seen some pretty horrific things. But when I knew him, all he wanted was something of a simple life. He told me what he missed the most about his life before becoming a soldier was having the girl he loved simply ask him at the end of each day: "How was your day?". This taught me the value of human connection. I'm always sure to wish my barista, bus driver, cashier, anyone I meet throughout the day a simple: "Have a great day" It seems so small and insignificant. But you truly never know what something small and warm can do for someone who may only be feeling cold on the inside. Funny isn't it? There's just something about the simple things.

Muffin Recipe

• 3 Brown bananas

• 1/4 cup Cocoa

• 3 tsp Vanilla

• 1/4 cup Oil

• 3 Eggs

• 2 tsp Baking powder

• 1/2 cu flour

• 1 1/4 cup Sugar

• 1 tsp Coconut extract

• 3 tsp French vanilla instant coffee (dry)

• Dash of cinnamon

• Greased muffin tin

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350F

2. Mash the bananas in your bowl until smooth (mine are usually frozen, so I heat them up, peel and mash!)

3. Add in the eggs and vigorously mix until combined.

4. Toss in the coffee (should dissolve in the wet mixture) but make sure to whisk it all in the batter anyway!

5. Next, add in the oil and repeat.

6. Then add in the extracts and mix.

7. Throw in the dry ingredients and mix it all up until smooth (Don't over mix though!)

8. Grease a muffin tin and pour the batter in about 3/4 full each cup.

9. Place the muffins in your pre-heated oven and bake (being sure to check the batter in about 2-3 intervals) for about 10-15 minutes. Take out when the centre is still a little gooey but the rest is baked and fluffy!

10. Now while they're baking let's whip up the drizzle!

French Vanilla Chocolate Drizzle

• 1/8 cup Cocoa

• 4 tsp French vanilla instant coffee

• 3 1/2 Cap coconut extract

• 1/4 cup Icing sugar

• 1/8 cup Plus an extra splash of water

• 1 tbsp Margarine or butter

1. Heat up a small pot on medium heat, add in your butter, half the sugar and 3 tsp of the coffee grinds and stir together in the pot.

2. Once it comes together, add in your coconut extract and mix in.

3. Then add in the water and let it thicken while stirring.

4. Toss in your cocoa and mix it all in until smooth and thick.

5. Add in the last portion of sugar and coffee.

6. Taste and see how you like it! If it's good, keep on low heat and stir until muffins are done.

7. Once the muffins are cooled, drizzle over the tops and voila! Fluffy, chocolate, coffee goodness!

"Kindness: A simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in this world" -Anonymous