Whether it's life responsibilities or making a personal change, do you ever feel like you have a laundry list of things to do, change or become? Looking at that long list can be daunting. 

So, what do you do? Make small changes, one step at a time. Here is an example. Lately, I've felt the need to clean out my closets after attending a clothing swap. I've looked at so many clothes that I don't wear and although emotionally attached, it was time to let it go and donate them to a woman's shelter. 

My apartment was messy for about 4 weeks, and the mess drove me nuts. But one by one - whether piles, hangers or drawers - I had to go through everything to get rid of stuff although I wanted the entire project done in 48 hours. 

Most of life doesn't work like this especially if balancing work, kids and other responsibilities. See more thoughts in my Youtube video below on how to make small, one percent changes. 

As always, inspired by the sun, 
Elizabeth

Join Mind Body Soul Food Every Sunday for some inspiration, or Sunspiration, where we analyze quotes and sweet nothings in 150 words or less. Get inspired everyday with our Instagram account, sunspiration_everyday with inspirational quotes, motivational messages & sweet nothings.

Fall is harvest season, and spiritually symbolic to grounding oneself. It's the time of year when hibernation mode initiates and people find themselves nestled between the warmth of their blankets in home. In the past, or in ancient times, humans used food and nature as their source of medicine. 

Before modern or westernized medicine, humans were connected more to nature.  

During my recent hiking trip to Estes Park, I spoke with an intuitive woman from the Stanley Hotel. She sensed my energy was off, and said I need to ground myself. From her words, "I am here to get you back into gear. You need to ground yourself and start eating right again. I can feel your protein levels are off." 

She was worried that since I don't eat meat, I would need to be real "strict" on food combinations to ground myself. The energy everywhere is different and in Colorado I sensed the connection to the earth plane, especially with its Native American roots. 

A while back I made this recipe while craving something Mediterranean in the late summer. The Italians and Spanish use tomatoes frequently in cooking. One of the best side dishes I ever ate was a tomato potato concoction from Southern France. 

I found these beautiful vintage French porcelain dishes from an estate sale, and voila! Inspiration struck to create something inspired by my Mediterranean travels. 

Everything in life grows and harvests itself for a reason and a season. There is a reason why we crave watery fruits in the summer and hearty starches in the winter. We ground ourselves during the cooler months with produce that comes directly from the earth, which are vegetables with roots. 

Symbolically these vegetables help us grow our roots on this earth plane. We can further ground ourselves before eating by taking five deep breaths. This activates our parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes digestion. Eating while in fight or flight is not ideal as the blood flow is in our working muscles and not to our visceral organs. 

Inspired by the Southern Europeans, this meal combines a mixture of root vegetables alongside with fresh herbs to ignite a Mediterranean flavor. It also integrates a balance of protein, produce, water and herbs/spices for a well-rounded approach to healing. 

​Many people forget that we consume water through our food. Meat eaters also get water from meat, and vegetarians and vegans obtain water in their diet from plants and produce. 

​When living by the motto, "a lifestyle inspired by nature," it is of the upmost importance to consume food closet to nature as the majority of the diet, while balancing out the sweets and random processed food in lesser amounts. 

 Mediterranean Inspired Fire Roasted Tomatoes, Roots + Potatoes
Prep Time: 7 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves 6

Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 large onion, chopped
2.5 cups of carrots, chopped
6 cups of white skin potatoes, chopped
2 cups kale, chopped
1 cup chickpeas, drained + washed 
2 14.5 oz cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 6 oz. can of tomato paste
4 stems fresh oregano
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp dried basil
1/2 cup water 

Directions:
In a large pot, cook the onion, garlic, salt and pepper in olive oil for several minutes. Add the potatoes and carrots and water and cook for 12 minutes. Next, add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, basil and oregano and cook for 15 minutes. During the last five minutes add the kale and chickpeas. Mix continuously. When edible, garnish or mix in the parsley and remove from heat. Serve as a side dish, or eat as a main course. 

Let's Connect! Check out my other similar hearty side dish and soup recipes! 

I've had many talks lately with people about health, wellness, spirituality and God. Some own their own business, and others want to invest in a business. Why do some people or businesses succeed? And others don't? 

In wellness, besides fads and trends, some people choose to join the crowd where other people choose to go against the grain. Those who promote lifestyle changes will never be popular with the masses, because it's not extreme, vulgar, sexy and doesn't promote a 30-day gaurantee.

However, a lifestyle change and living in harmony with the mind, body and spirit is the "way" to a joyful life. Regardless if one is spiritual or not, most spiritual theories or notions promote the ideas of having faith, hope and understanding that things happen in its divine timing. 

Those who want the spread the joy of healthy living, living in harmony with nature, or that God loves them, feel like they're swimming upstream, or talking to the air. It is a battle, but the fight must be fought.  

As always, inspired by the sun, 
Elizabeth

Join Mind Body Soul Food Every Sunday for some inspiration, or Sunspiration, where we analyze quotes and sweet nothings in 150 words or less. Get inspired everyday with our Instagram account, sunspiration_everyday with inspirational quotes, motivational messages & sweet nothings.

Pumpkin season is here. I looked through my old SIM cards on my camera and realized that I never posted this soup I made from two years ago! Sometimes I forget certain recipes as I go through bouts of creation and then forget about posting it especially if it has gone out of season. 

I've mentioned this in the past, but soups are my favorite thing to make. It's healthy. It's usually hearty. And it nourishes the soul with health and hearth in the home. At 22 I was trying to find a "home" in this world as I did not fit into traditional America. And now, at 34, I am trying to find a home in modest America, and don't really feel like I fit in anywhere in non-traditional America. Funny how things come full circle in life. 

Living in Germany really affected me and was the start to transitioning into my rising sign, Cancer, which rules the home. In Vedic astrology, my rising sign in Gemini due to the 23 degree shift backwards. The interesting part I read about Gemini is that with it's two faces looking in opposite directions these people will usually experience "two lives" in this life. I thought about my nomadic 20's. As an Aquarian, I was to the "T" so Aquarius, minimalistic and nomadic. I married a Sagittarius and we trekked the globe together. Upon the break up two years ago, I knew our soul contract was over, and that we would make new homes with someone else. I lived a fun life. I am satisfied. But now, I am ready for the more traditional sense of life, which follows my north node of Taurus. Taurus is all about earth and beauty.

 I was so different from my family (Taurus father, Virgo mother, Cancer sister) growing up. And now, I am becoming so much like my family. The pure irony makes me laugh. To some degree, it's my soul growth and mission. To some it may feel like going backwards, but for me it's my natural progression of learning many lessons in life - and to be grounded. 

The irony of me getting into vintage clothing does fit a Taurus theme quit well, with its attraction towards beauty. Earth signs are feminine, and I am definitely rising into appreciating the beauty of the divine feminine in a not-so-modern sense. 

Super Easy Vegan Apple Pumpkin Soup
Serves 4
Cook Time: 20-30 minutes

Ingredients:
1 can of pumpkin
4 cups water + 1.5 bouillon cubes (or 4 c vegetable broth)
1/2 cup nondairy milk (soy is a neutral choice)
1 tbsp vegan butter
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 large apples, chopped (used Gala)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp nutmeg
Pinch cinnamon

Directions: 
Cook the onion with butter in a pot. After several minutes add the apples and cook for 1-2 minutes .  Add all of the ingredients except the milk into the pot. Once the apples are edible and the soup fragrant (around 15-20 minutes) and remove from heat. Remove the bay leaf and then puree the soup with the nondairy milk in a blender. Adjust flavors and spices as needed. 

Notes: Use pumpkin pie spice for more flavor and this is a thin soup. If you want it to be less thin, reduce the water or broth by 1/2-1 cup. 

Enjoy my other soup recipes! LET'S CONNECT! 

Wherever you are in America, fall foliage is here. Whether it's at its peak or in its beginning, the leaves are starting to change and show its true colors. 

I believe God created nature and the world. And God also equipped our brain with logic and reasoning. Minds indoctrinated by religion see humans separate from nature. If God created humans, nature and the world, why would he want to separate us from nature? It doesn't make logical sense because humans are creatures of the earth. 

Every season is symbolic to some meaning. And the leaves teach us the behind every green facade lies their true colors, which gets exposed during fall. The word "fall" itself is so meaningful to the season as the tree must let go of its leaf when the timing is right. Now some say God chooses every leaf that falls off the tree, but regardless of the argument, the tree let's go, endures a season of hibernation and then rebirths itself to welcome to new leaves, fruits and flowers. 

As always, inspired by the sun, 
Elizabeth

Join Mind Body Soul Food Every Sunday for some inspiration, or Sunspiration, where we analyze quotes and sweet nothings in 150 words or less. Get inspired everyday with our Instagram account, sunspiration_everyday with inspirational quotes, motivational messages & sweet nothings.

It is no secret that nature is healing. I don't think I've met any human being who's left nature and then claimed their dislike for it. Most people who spend time in nature, often return to the "real world" feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and relaxed. Often the mind has a sense of clarity and the spirit revived to either help people through difficult life situations, or possible set them on the better track in life. 

Many people wonder, why is nature so healing? There are countless reasons, but science is starting to understand how nature heals humans. Whatever your belief is, there is a certain vibration or energy found in different types of environments. 

Like attracts like. If you go to a beach town, you'll notice the people are different than say in the wild west or from the snow bunnies skiing in the winter. 

There are four elements on this planet: earth, air, fire and water. Although every landscape differs, every landscape usually contains all four elements to some degree. Most common natural escapes include the mountains  and forest (earth), the ocean (water) or the desert (fire). Air is found everywhere and in constant motion even though you cannot see it.

Most people usually appreciate all types of landscapes, but usually gravitate towards something specific like the beach, mountains or drier climates. Now there is a breakdown for what people like. For example, someone who loves water may not necessarily be attracted to sunny, hot beaches, but may actually resonate with cooler, icier waters like you see in Scandinavia. 

The four elements is literal in a physical sense, but also metaphorical while viewing life through a metaphysical lens. 

​

• Air represents intellect, mental intention, communication, the breath of life, and connection to universal life force. Air is associated with spring , the east direction and known to have a cleansing power. Physically, air has been considered a pure element. Humans require oxygen for survival and our expenditure of CO2 is then absorbed by the plants to then release O2. Air does take up space, and has volume and exerts pressure. 
• Earth represents grounding, the foundation of life, substance, nourishment, stability, fertility, connection to life path, and family roots. Earth is related to winter, the north direction and known to have a cleaning power. Physically, the earth contains rocks and minerals that provides the soil the ability to grow vegetation and to support life. 
• Fire represents energy,  transformation, connection to personal power, and inner strength. It represents a purifying power and means light. Fire has two sides. In one way fire ignites warmth and creates life, but it also has the ability to burn and destroy. Fire is considered the first element born when the universe was created.  On the physical plane fire we know is the sun or a flame. Without the sun there would be no life. Fire requires three things to ignite: oxygen, fuel and heat. 
  Fire is associated with summer and the south direction. 
• Water represents emotional release, intuition, purification, healing, dreaming and inner reflection. Water is indicative of the death-rebirth cycle because it gives life, but also is destructive. Water is associated with autumn and the west direction. Physically, water comprises of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Hydrogen (positive charge) attaches on each end of the oxygen atom (negative charge) and polarizes the water molecule. 

Air and Fire are masculine. Earth and Water are feminine. 

Some beliefs, like Ayurveda, state that there is a fifth element, called the ether, which is the vacant space where everything happens. Aristotle stated the fifth element was "aether." For example. if standing in front of a tree there is space between you and the tree. But there is also space between the leaves and the branches. Sound is part of the ether, which is vibratory and  moves through space. 

Part of our attraction to natural settings is also based on the soothing sounds of the natural world that calms the mind, body and soul. Whether its the waves of the ocean crashing into shore, the trickling of a stream in a forest, or the songs of the birds heard in a meadow, sound also has a way of healing us. Musically, the lower beat per minute stimulates the brain to relax where faster and harder beats per minute make us work out harder, move faster or drive more aggressively.

Sound is healing. The natural sounds produced from nature relaxes the brain, which affects the body. 

​Humans are naturally attracted to nature because we are ourselves are creatures of the earth. Nature is engrained in our DNA. When understanding the elements from a metaphysical sense, it is no wonder that nature is a healer. So many people gravitate to the mountains or ocean for healing or to escape the city life. 

​With earth and water being feminine qualities, it is no secret that Mother Nature herself bundles us up in her warmth, love and beauty, just like a mother does to her child. 

When analyzing the five senses (sight, sound, smell, hearing and taste), nature stimulates our senses quit differently than an urban setting or our daily job. 

Nature affects our health in four primary ways:

• Nature removes us from chaotic environments that contain air pollution, noise pollution, and from artificial light due to looking at screens constantly while at home or work. This overall reduces stress. 
• Nature increases physical activity. Whether its a swim in a lake or ocean, or a walk on a trail, spending time in nature generally moves our body. Physical activity (and nature) is associated with elevating mood, reducing physical pain and circulating more oxygen throughout the body, thus making the body feel good. Achieving great physical pursuits like summiting a mountain extends well-being into the emotional, mental and spiritual bodies to make us believe that we can conquer any obstacle or barrier in life. 
• Nature is a healthy form of escapism and offers us an opportunity to socialize. Most people travel with their friends or family, and throughout these experiences memories are being created. The stress is left at home, and nature allows us to focus on the moment, enjoy the little things and it brings people together as a form of socialization. Socializing removes feelings of loneliness and isolation, which also boosts mood and self-esteem. A study conducted by the University of Rochester discovered that the people exposed to nature were more socially conscious, they felt more generous and connected to their community. 
• Nature is spiritual itself. Whether one believes in God or not, most people marvel at the power of nature. Standing in a valley while gazing at the mountains makes people realize that there is something greater in this world than themselves. That in itself is spiritual and may increase empathy. Even if alone, there are moments of reflection that occur that forces people to spiritually evolve or grow. 

​Beauty is inspirational, and nature is beautiful. It is no wonder why poets, artists and other creatives spend time in nature writing, contemplating or drawing nature scenes. Beauty inspires the soul, and for some evolves them into the best version of themselves. 

​Being in the moment and focusing on the present is very important to our well-being. Time in nature slows us down and "forces" us to enjoy the moment. Meditation does not necessarily mean sitting still in a Buddhist temple. Meditations can be in motion. A walk through a forest is just as contemplative as sitting on top of a mountain pondering what will happen in life. 

In my personal experience, I look back to analyze the powerful healing that has occurred in various natural environments. Swimming in the ocean cleansed my soul where as walking through the mysterious forest allowed me to let go of the things that no longer serve me. 

Every type of environment was healing. The desert at Burning Man burned away many low self-esteem issues.
The power of the mountains and the bugling elk in Estes Park healed my heart from various heart breaks. Mother Earth grounded me and absorbed my pain into the soil.
The oceans in Australia cleansed my soul to awaken my spirit and let go of my childhood wounds. 
Walking through volcanic lava fields in Iceland made me realize there is more to life than my work and job title.
The Spirit Rock Vortex in Tuscon, Arizona flooded my body with positive energy as I also sent light and love to many people in my life.
The angels in the sky in Utah sent me a message while pondering a question at the petroglyphs and while staring out of the window I asked, "Is moving to Germany the right thing to do?" and there an angel from the clouds emerged.
And I'll never forget walking the ancient forests on the Camino de Santiago from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela. The trees absorbed my heart break from divorce and finding freshly fallen beautiful green leaves on the ground reminded me that even that even beautiful things in this life fall, but not necessarily fail. 

Nature is healing for those who respect the land and the spirit that reside there. So many people today use nature for their own glory or to gain superficial attention from Instagram. 

Has nature healed you? I would love to hear your story or experience. 

Let's Connect! 

I am a bit slow in posting recipes, which sadly will be out of season. Between my social media detox + creating a newer vision of vegan recipes coupled with vintage cookware/clothing to inspire nourishing recipes, I will be uploading many recipes that may be slightly out of season. 

This month marks two years being single after the separation of my marriage. When they say time flies, I can't believe it. I can't believe five years ago in October of 2014 I moved to Germany. Time does fly and most blogs are very chipper and express romantic ideals of how happy home life and such is for them.

For me, I am doing well at this point, but throughout the last two years I have been forced to heal, pick myself up financially all while balancing full-time work with my creative outlets of this blog + YouTube Channel. Working as a trainer and a health coach in Seattle has allowed me to dig deep into people's inner worlds. I do think I am a non-traditional healer, as though I am very logical I am very spiritual at the same time. Healing doesn't always happen on a reiki table, and people forget that our support systems navigate us through life's difficult situations and help us heal. 

One way to start healing yourself is through Whole Foods nutrition and re-healing the gut with nature. Most of us adore sweets, I know I do. I can't live without sweet food. But, we can retrain our guts and palate to crave naturally sweet foods like cocoa and dates. 

I swear dates are a miracle food. There are so many ways to use dates, and no matter how you consume them, it adds a bit of sweetness to life without the guilt. 

My food processor is a bit old and so newer food processors can handle the toughness of almonds more than mine, but this brownie mixture may require you to use less (or more) milk than I posted. Really soft dates blend well. If your dates are older or harder it may be worth soaking in hot water for 30-60 minutes prior to making the brownies. Enjoy! 

No Bake Vegan Date Brownies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 1 9-inch pie pan 

Ingredients:
12 oz dates (2.5 cups)
1 cup raw almonds
4-6 tbsp nondairy milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/8 tsp salt

Topping
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup maple syrup
2-3 tbsp coconut oil, melted

Directions:
Grind the nuts in a food processor until finely chopped. Next add all the ingredients except for the milk into the food processor. Depending on how soft your dates are and how strong your food processor is, you may only need 1-2 tbsp of milk. If the blade is unable to mix, add 1 tbsp at a time of milk and then blend with the food processor. Continue this process (while scraping the sides of the food processor) until you reach a desired texture.

Line a 9 inch pie pan with parchment paper and press the brownie mixture into the pan. Next, mix the maple syrup and cocoa in a small bowl. Then mix all of the topping ingredients in a bowl and immediately pour on top of the brownies quickly. The coconut oil hardens quickly and will make this chunky. Spread evenly on top with a spatula, cover, and set in the fridge for several hours or overnight. Cut into slices or squares - however you desire! Enjoy! 

LET'S CONNECT! Enjoy my other dessert recipes!